A razor-thin victory, a nation still divided awaits Peru's next president

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Peru's 2026 election was a razor-thin victory for Keiko Fujimori with her lead growing in the final days, leaving a divided nation to ponder her presidency.

For insight into what her presidency may mean for Peru's foreign policy and governability we turned to Atlantic Council experts on the region.

Keiko Fujimori is Peru's most recognizable figure in decades the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori whose regime collapsed amidst corruption scandals.

This election campaign focused on her father's pillars: a tough-on-crime agenda and a defense of Peru's market-oriented economic model that has driven growth amidst constant political crises.

The close election result reflects the deep divide within Peruvian society a divide that reemerges with each election cycle, highlighting where the country's most pronounced cleavages lie.

This June 7 runoff became a contest of competing visions: Sanchez challenged the foundations of Peru's market-driven growth model, Fujimori defended it, and Peruvians chose Fujimori's vision.

To put an end to Peru's long-lasting political instability, Fujimori will need to demonstrate her economic model can provide greater inclusion and state presence.

This means rebuilding trust, addressing structural challenges of governability and capturing global partnership opportunities, which will require improved governance and institutional reform.

Keiko Fujimori's presidency presents an opportunity to address structural challenges of governability, institutional reform and Peru's ever-changing leadership.

We turned to Atlantic Council experts for insight into Fujimori's presidency and the implications for US strategy in Latin America.