What did you think of the funeral display? Alberto Fujimori?
It ended up being a form of apology. It was a public and state-based farewell that I consider appropriate.
The inscription of the patriarch in People’s Force will end the division within Fujimorism?
In almost all parties in the world there are at least two tendencies. The idea of a monolithic party without currents or tendencies is a utopia. In every party there must be positions and tendencies. And in Fujimorism, at least, there must be two. That will continue to be more or less strong. It seems natural to me. When a party is alive, there are tendencies. In Popular Action you had the Carlists, the violeteros… The monolithic does not exist. The big question is whether Fujimori’s death really put an end to a stage in the history of Peru. If for many followers it has been the end of a stage and they are now ready to look at Fujimorism as a thing of the past and project themselves onto other alternatives for the future, not necessarily loyalty to the president and his family.
Look: Where is Fujimorism headed after the death of its historic leader?
Is that where the campaign should go? Looking to the future…
Well, at this moment People’s Force has taken the opposite path, which is to embrace the figure of Fujimori. Alberto Fujimori Now he is a myth, and a myth is sometimes easier to create than a living person. It seems to me that the party has taken the path of a myth or a legacy. And I don’t think it will be any different in the campaign.
Do you think Fujimorism has lost its people? Has it become too establishment, too congressional?
Unfortunately, Fujimorism has been losing its people for a long time. From the moment Absalón Vásquez was purged, the popular sector of Fujimorism began to be pushed aside, set aside, reduced and shrunk. That, for me, is one of the most negative elements that has prevented it from breaking the 40% ceiling in the first round. And over time, instead of becoming less visible, it has become more visible.
Popular right-wing or centre-right parties have emerged that could compete with some of its bases. Even Country moves forwardwhere you serve.
We have to look at two dates. In 2016, Fujimorism almost alone united the entire right, and in the first round it obtained 39%. In 2021, the right-wing parties split up and Fujimorism, as a popular right-wing party, has 13%. The Christian right-wing party of López Aliaga has 12%. And a more liberal economic right-wing party of De Soto has 11%. And if one adds up the three right-wing parties, one has what Keiko Fujimori had in 2016. In other words, what is imploding is the structure of traditional Fujimorism. And that has been eroding.
There have been important resignations in Country moves forward.
Parties have processes of growth or decline. Country moves forward The party has two important electoral processes to face in 2026. It had a small municipal composition and a relatively small parliamentary composition. It had to open up. That is what the leadership has sought. That sometimes challenges people who were comfortable. Some felt they had to leave, others that they had to join. As long as it is done in a respectful manner, I don’t see any problem.
Is the party too conservative for Carlos Bruce?
I have spoken with him. He is a very communicative person. He perceives it and may have commented on it when asked, but I do not think he will put it on those levels. He is a pragmatic man. And I think that when he faces his municipal challenge he will do so with people of different tendencies. There may have been a series of evaluations that have led him to make that decision. I do not think he is only focused on one axis. Probably, there are a series of factors.
“There are 40 entries, but not all of them are matches”
He was a candidate for mayor of Lima. Will he run again?
My municipal term ended a long time ago.
Andrés Hurtado’s plot seems to have ramifications everywhere.
We don’t know all the details yet. It’s something bigger than we think. It’s the tip of the iceberg of a scandal that cuts across justice, entertainment, business and many illegal things. A nerve has been touched and we will soon know more.
What do you think about the differences between Añaños and the owner of the Perú Moderno party?
It is said that there are 40 parties. There are 40 registrations, but not all of them are parties; not from a formal legal point of view, but from a real point of view. Many believe that registration turns a nominal organization into a political reality and that error is made by well-intentioned but inexperienced people. It is very likely that situations like that of Peru Moderno, which are not at all desirable and are regrettable, can be reproduced in more cases.
Does Avanza País aspire to be a real party?
Avanza País is a small party, it is not yet a big party. It has the essential elements that separate it from a legal label. It has had mayors and parliamentarians, it has participated in elections. It has an experience that allows it to move towards larger projects. It has limitations, like all political organizations, because party legislation is made to hinder. But there is a seed, a will, a team, a call and a desire to unite wills. If a party does not have the desire to unite wills, it is not a party.
What issues should be addressed by 2026?
Another of the serious errors of the electoral party system is that everything is premature. Many people will see issues that will not be the issues of the campaign in the long run. Getting ahead of themselves is wrong. The electoral bodies’ calendar is not that of the voters.
Oscar Becerra, Phillip Butters, Angel Delgado, you… are you part of the conservative right?
The idea is to create a front rather than a monolithic party: to bring together honourable people with a track record of respectability. Doctrine is not of substantial importance to either the electorate or the militant. Some of us have traditional values, but this is not an obstacle to the entry of more liberal people or people with different positions.
It’s too early for 2026, but the travel ban to Boluarte could speed things up.
I was surprised by this first break between Parliament, the previous support of the Executive, and the Executive. I did not expect it. It is a sign that there may be turbulence between the powers of the State. It is also true that Mrs Boluarte is doing everything possible to wear herself out quickly, due to the mistakes of her words and actions.
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