Alberto Fujimori, former Peru president, dies at 86 after rebuilding economy and human rights abuses

On a Wednesday, the world learned of the passing of Alberto Fujimori, the former President of Peru, who died at the age of 86 due to cancer. His daughter, Keiko Fujimori, announced the news in a post on social media. Fujimori had been suffering from arrhythmia and other health issues.

Early Life and Political Career

Fujimori, the son of Japanese immigrants, was an agricultural engineer with no prior political experience when he decided to run for the presidency in 1990. He gained attention for his unconventional campaign, famously traveling on a tractor. Despite being an outsider in a crowded field, he made a surprising impact by securing a close second place. Ultimately, he went on to defeat the establishment favorite, the renowned novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, in a runoff, marking a significant turning point in Peru's political landscape.