In Peru the 21st century keeps echoing old patterns. In 2007 Albert Fujimori returned from exile in Chile and began serving a life sentence for crimes against humanity. The fall of the Fujimori era sparked mass protests in 2000 and defined the political stage for years. Alexander Toledo, an economics professor who embraced his Indigenous identity and a personal journey from a humble background to a North American academic path, became a central figure in a new political era. Known endearingly as El Cholo, he would later become the first president after the end of autocratic rule. Like Fujimori, Toledo faced pressure and exile during his rise when corruption allegations tainted perceptions of both leaders. A six year period in the United States shaped his perspective, and recent events hint at bright hopes returning to the country.
La República, the Lima newspaper, did not hide its irony. When Toledo landed he faced possible deportation to prison in Barbadillo. Fujimori remains behind bars for now, while a former president Pedro Castillo faced trials over alleged rioting and conspiracy. Ollanta Humala also spent time in a maximum security facility amid a leadership crisis that has echoed through Peru’s political system since December.
corrupt presidents
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski faced investigations tied to irregularities in campaign financing from his 2016 to 2018 presidency, a period that ended with his resignation to avoid impeachment by Congress. An unusual case is that of Alan Garcia, who chose to end his life rather than risk arrest on corruption charges as a public official.
Toledo has repeatedly faced questions about accountability. Five years earlier he dismissed accusations while speaking on Peru’s main broadcast platform, asserting that he did not deserve the label of fugitive. He was accused of accepting a bribe from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, a sum of 35 million dollars, in exchange for guiding interoceanic highway works during his tenure.
Rafael Vela, the head of the Lava Jato Special Team, described the participation of former presidents alongside Brazilian interests as a significant matter. He noted that recent shifts in U S policy toward Peru were a reminder of the reach of past decisions, while adding that the legal team around Toledo faced complex challenges and the likelihood of new protective measures dwindling.
disapproval from applause
Three decades ago Toledo was a minor figure in Peruvian politics. He joined the April elections with the goal of advancing a steady governance transition while Fujimori sought to secure a third term through procedural moves. He captured a substantial share of the vote, yet questioned the transparency of the runoff process. In that moment he chose to challenge the outcome.
Toledo proclaimed victory in a contest that many viewed as unsettled, and the political outcome shifted toward opposite shores. From that point forward Toledo led movements that culminated in the former autocrat stepping away from power during a crisis that culminated in a leadership change. In 2011 he assumed the presidency with a mandate built on a sometimes brief, yet powerful, past.
The idea of both candidates sharing a single place of confinement has long fascinated Peruvians who watch Toledo. A cabinet member named Juan Sheput expressed mixed feelings, noting a personal affection for him while stressing the necessity of justice and truth, and the importance of keeping the process transparent.
alcoholic disposition
Toledo has faced persistent public questions about his temperament and personal life. His attempts to return to the presidency did not meet with broad electoral support. Critics described a volatile side that resurfaced years later, sometimes seized upon by opponents as criticism. A reported incident in South San Francisco involved a traffic stop during a period of intoxication, a moment that fed public fascination with his public image.
Subsequent months brought renewed legal scrutiny as concerns about travel and residency emerged. He faced detentions connected with travel patterns, and a suitcase believed to contain substantial cash drew attention during periods of legal tension in California. While a period of house arrest and subsequent bail during the pandemic followed, the broader political narrative continued to shape public perception. In parallel, his spouse’s decision to surrender a passport to a court in a display of commitment to the rule of law underscored the era’s complex moral and legal questions. Toledo’s rise in those years was linked to a profile shaped by bold political moves and contested anti corruption efforts, with perceptions surrounding him shaped by a mix of triumph and scandal.