Peru Swears In Keiko Fujimori: First Elected Female President Inherits a Divided Country

Peru's President Keiko Fujimori stands an the entrance of the Government Palace following her inauguration ceremony in Lima on July 28, 2026. Fujimori took office on July 28, 2026, vowing to tackle the wave of crime sweeping the Andean nation. Fujimori won the June 7 presidential runoff by fewer than 50,000 votes, after losing the past three runoffs. (Credit: Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP via Getty Images)

LIMA — Keiko Fujimori placed her hand on the presidential sash Tuesday, July 28 and took the oath of office in front of Peru's Congress, ending a pursuit of the country's top job that stretched across four campaigns and a decade and a half. The ceremony landed on the 205th anniversary of Peruvian independence — the date Peru has used for decades to hand over presidential power.

Three Losses, Then a Win by a Whisker