Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who led the country during the 1990s, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86, following a long battle with cancer. His daughter, Keiko Fujimori, announced his death on social media, accompanied by a message from his other children. Fujimori had been in critical condition earlier in the day, as confirmed by close colleagues who visited him.

Fujimori, born to Japanese immigrants, rose from obscurity as the chancellor of an agricultural university to win the 1990 presidential election. He quickly gained a reputation for his pragmatic and hands-on approach, implementing policies that spurred economic growth. Fujimori was instrumental in stabilizing Peru’s economy by curbing hyperinflation, privatizing state-run companies, and reducing trade tariffs, laying the groundwork for the country to become one of the region's more stable economies for a time.

Fujimori's tenure was also marked by a fierce campaign against the Maoist insurgent group Shining Path, culminating in the capture of its leader, Abimael Guzman. However, his aggressive measures, including deploying death squads, as well as his decision to dissolve Congress in 1992 and rewrite the constitution to push forward his reforms, garnered accusations of authoritarianism. He further faced widespread criticism for corruption, with his top adviser, Vladimiro Montesinos, implicated in numerous scandals involving bribery.

After winning a controversial third term in 2000, Fujimori fled to Japan amid growing corruption accusations. He later attempted a political comeback but was arrested during a layover in Chile in 2005, extradited to Peru in 2007, and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2009 for human rights abuses.

Despite his imprisonment, Fujimori maintained a strong base of support, with his daughter Keiko becoming a prominent political figure, running for the presidency three times on a platform that included pardoning her father. Fujimori was briefly pardoned in 2017 but returned to prison after the pardon was overturned. The Peruvian courts restored the pardon in late 2023, releasing him as his health continued to decline. He was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in May 2024, and his health deteriorated until his passing.

Fujimori's legacy remains divisive. His supporters laud his economic reforms and efforts against insurgency, while critics denounce his authoritarian practices and human rights violations. Fujimori's daughter Keiko had previously announced in July that her father had plans to run for the presidency again in the 2026 election. He was born on July 28, 1938, in Lima, and is remembered for both his controversial leadership and his economic achievements.