Peru Bids Farewell to Former President Alberto Fujimori Amid Divisive Legacy

As Peru laid former President Alberto Fujimori to rest this Saturday, the country remains deeply divided over the complex legacy of the man who shaped its modern history. Fujimori, who passed away this week at the age of 86, was both revered for his leadership during a time of economic crisis and vilified for his authoritarian rule and human rights abuses.

A Controversial Leader

Fujimori’s presidency in the 1990s was marked by drastic economic reforms and a brutal crackdown on the Maoist Shining Path insurgency, a group responsible for a devastating conflict that left 69,000 dead or missing. For many, especially those from rural regions like Ayacucho, where the conflict began, Fujimori is seen as the leader who saved Peru from terrorism. Felicita Ruiz, a mourner from Ayacucho, expressed her gratitude: “Thanks to him, terrorism is over.”

However, Fujimori’s reign came at a high cost. His government was linked to clandestine military operations that led to the deaths of civilians, including the infamous massacres at La Cantuta, Barrios Altos, and Pativilca. His critics, like Gisela Ortiz, whose brother was killed during his rule, view his actions as a stain on Peru’s history: “It’s a shame because they’re recognizing someone convicted for serious crimes.”

Hero or Villain?

Fujimori’s supporters, often drawn from Peru’s poor and rural populations, see him as a hero who brought economic stability and modernized infrastructure. Yusi Canchari, a mourner who traveled from Peru’s interior, spoke through tears: “He achieved peace. I remember he built my little school, built roads, gave us uniforms, shoes, and food.” For these Peruvians, Fujimori’s legacy is one of national rejuvenation.

Yet, for others, Fujimori is synonymous with abuse of power. In 2009, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for human rights violations, including the deaths of 25 people, and he spent over 16 years behind bars. Allegations of corruption also marred his administration, with Fujimori fleeing to Japan in 2000 amid a scandal involving bribery and the manipulation of lawmakers.

A Divided Peru

Fujimori’s funeral saw a stark divide in public sentiment. Thousands paid their respects, some holding photos of the man they affectionately called “Chino,” while others protested, carrying banners denouncing his human rights abuses. The scars of Fujimori’s sterilization campaign, which aimed to reduce poverty but led to the coercive sterilization of 300,000 women, remain a painful reminder of his regime’s dark side. “This tribute is an insult,” said Maria Carbajal, one of the women subjected to forced sterilization.

Fujimori’s death, coincidentally on the third anniversary of his nemesis, Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman’s passing, has reignited debates about Peru’s turbulent past. Lima resident Angel Taboada reflected the nation’s ambivalence: “The former president did good things; he fought terrorism. But he also did bad things, like the massacres.”

A Lasting Impact

Despite his authoritarian methods, Fujimori’s free-market reforms set Peru on a path to becoming one of the most stable economies in Latin America, particularly in the copper sector. Yet, recent political turmoil, with six presidents in seven years, has many Peruvians looking back at Fujimori’s tenure with nostalgia, even as his legacy remains deeply contested.

For Fujimori’s daughter Keiko, a prominent political figure, the legacy of her father is one of unfinished business. “I hoped he would become president again,” said a grieving Canchari. As Peru continues to grapple with political instability, the shadow of Alberto Fujimori will loom large for years to come.