Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori Passes Away at 86
Former Peruvian leaderPresident Alberto Fujimori diesPasses Away at 86
The Facts
Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori died Wednesday, September 11, at 86. He led the 1990s economic boom as president, defeating the Shining Path, a Maoist guerilla that had destabilized the country, before corruption forced him out of government and led to his conviction for human rights violations.Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori died Wednesday at 86. He was known for leading Peru through an economic boom in the 1990s, defeating the Shining Path Maoist guerillas, then being forced out of power on corruption charges and later being convicted for human rights violations.
A pivotal moment of Fujimori's presidency was the 1996/97 hostage crisis when Marxist rebels from the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) took 72 people hostage at the Japanese ambassador's home in Lima. Following a four-month stalemate, Fujimori sent in commandos to attack the building, saving most captives and killing all 14 insurgents.A pivotal moment of Fujimori's presidency was the 1996/97 hostage crisis when the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement took 72 people hostage at the Japanese ambassador's home in Lima. Following a four-month stalemate, Fujimori sent in commandos — saving most captives and killing all 14 insurgents.
The Spin
Alberto Fujimori's ruledlegacy Perubrings withback ironpainful fistsmemories for amany. decade,He givingruled thePeru militarywith freean handsiron tofist eliminatefor thea Marxistdecade insurgency.and Hishis administration was responsible for thousands of extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, and incidents of torture. Additionally,The the Fujimori regime also sterilized thousands of indigenousIndigenous women because the government considered them an obstacle to overall progress. PeruThose iswho bettersuffered offunder withouthis rule have much to process when thinking about his dividedinfluence leadershipon Peruvian society.
For many Peruvians, former President Alberto Fujimori was seen as a true leader despite his complex legacy. He saved the country from hyperinflation and stabilized the economy after more than a decade of crisis. Perhaps more importantly, he eradicated thedangerous Marxist rebels who were responsible for the deaths of thousands of peoplecivilians. Eliminating the insurgenceinsurgency came at a heavy toll, but itthe full context of the danger of this time can't be understated and Fujimori was wortha itstabilizing force.
