Story perspectives

Judge Schedules Sanchez Trial Ahead of Runoff, Crime Surge

6/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

A judge ordered a trial for presidential candidate Roberto Sánchez over alleged campaign-finance violations on the eve of the runoff.
The runoff election took place on 6 June 2026 between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez.
About 27 million eligible voters, including roughly 1.2 million abroad, were required to vote in the mandatory election.
Rising crime, with homicide rates doubling and extortion complaints increasing fivefold, cost Peru roughly $5 billion annually and dominated the campaign.

History

Historical Context

Alberto Fujimori first won the presidency in 1990, then secured a second term in 1995 and, after a 1999 law permitting a third run, claimed a contested 2000 victory with 49.9% of the vote. His intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos siphoned an estimated $1.5 billion, prompting 12 congressional investigations and international criticism of Peru’s electoral integrity.

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Story summary

A judge ordered a trial for presidential candidate Roberto Sánchez over alleged campaign-finance violations on the eve of the runoff.
The runoff election took place on 6 June 2026 between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez.
About 27 million eligible voters, including roughly 1.2 million abroad, were required to vote in the mandatory election.
Rising crime, with homicide rates doubling and extortion complaints increasing fivefold, cost Peru roughly $5 billion annually and dominated the campaign.

1 / 2