Fujimori's Peru Scandal

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The Peru scandal involving former President Alberto Fujimori encompasses significant human rights abuses and widespread corruption. During his presidency from 1990 to 2000, Fujimori's government was marred by authoritarian practices, including the use of death squads like the Colina Group. This group was responsible for massacres such as the Barrios Altos and La Cantuta incidents, resulting in the deaths of civilians mistakenly identified as terrorists[2][4]. Fujimori was eventually convicted for these human rights violations, marking a historic first for a democratically elected president to be tried and sentenced in his own country[2][4]. Fujimori's regime was also marked by extensive corruption, with allegations of embezzlement and bribery. His advisor, Vladimiro Montesinos, played a central role in these schemes, influencing key institutions like the judiciary and media[1][3]. The corruption network involved diverting public funds for personal gain and political manipulation, undermining democratic processes[3]. Fujimori faced numerous trials and was sentenced to prison terms for these crimes, although he received a humanitarian pardon in 2017, which was later upheld in 2023[5]. Despite these legal challenges, Fujimori remained a polarizing figure in Peruvian politics until his death in 2024[5].