# Death of Alberto Fujimori

Alberto Fujimori, President of Peru from 1990 to 2000, died in Lima on 11 September 2024 at the age of 86, following a series of health issues. His state funeral took place on 14 September.

## Illness and death

For some years Fujimori had health issues including coronary and gastrointestinal problems. He was in prison for several years following his presidency and was released on humanitarian grounds in December 2023. He was diagnosed with tongue cancer in early 2024. His last public appearance was at a hospital on 4 September 2024, after undergoing a CT scan.
On 11 September, the arrival of a priest and Fujimorist members of congress wearing black was reported at the home of his daughter, Keiko Fujimori, in San Borja District, Lima. Subsequently, his doctor Alejandro Aguinaga told the press that he was "fighting" for his life and requested that visits be restricted. Congressperson Luisa María Cuculiza said that Fujimori's decline in health took her by surprise and that she had spoken with him five days earlier during which she noted his lucidity. Miguel Torres [es], a spokesperson for the Popular Force, added that Fujimori was going through a "difficult time." Fujimori's lawyer, Elio Riera, briefly disconnected from a virtual meeting due to problems "related to the health of the former president, which is why [he] had to leave and come back." Riera wrote on X that Fujimori "continues to fight for his life." The Prime Minister's office subsequently denied rumors that Fujimori died.
At around 18:00 (UTC−05:00), Fujimori died from complications of his cancer, according to a statement released by another doctor, José Carlos Gutiérrez. He added that Fujimori had trouble breathing on 9 September, before losing consciousness the following day. At 18:26, Keiko Fujimori confirmed her father's death in a social media post:
   After a long battle with cancer, our father, Alberto Fujimori, has just left to meet the Lord. We ask those who loved him to accompany us with a prayer for the eternal rest of his soul.

## Lying in state, state funeral and burial

The Peruvian government announced that Fujimori would receive a state funeral. Three days of national mourning were declared, and the Peruvian Congress and other public buildings lowered their flags to half-mast in his honor. Fujimori's remains were brought to lie in state at the Museo de la Nación in the Ministry of Culture on 12 September, with president Dina Boluarte attending to pay her respects with other Peruvian politicians such as Gustavo Adrianzén, President of the Council of Ministers; Morgan Quero, Minister of Education; César Vásquez, Minister of Health; Juan Santiváñez, Minister of the Interior; and Congressmen Alejandro Cavero, Jorge Montoya, Patricia Juárez, Gladys Echaíz, Patricia Chirinos, José Williams, Roberto Chiabra, Maricarmen Alva, Eduardo Salhuana, Juan Carlos Lizarzaburu, among others. Jorge del Castillo, Mauricio Mulder, Luis Galarreta, Miguel Torres, former Foreign Minister Javier Gonzáles-Olaechea and Alberto Otárola were also present at the funeral, as well as the singer Melcochita.
Thousands of Fujimori supporters arrived from various regions of the country to the wake, carrying portraits and making speeches in his honor. Due to the large number of attendees, the Ministry of Culture announced that access to the wake would be extended until midnight, and that the following day, the doors of the Nasca Room would be open from 6 in the morning until midnight.
On 14 September, his state funeral was held at Lima's 1,500 capacity National Theatre, with Keiko speaking in front of a large portrait of her father. He was buried in Lima at the Campo Fe cemetery in Huachipa.

## Reactions

President Dina Boluarte did not comment directly on his death, although her administration expressed its condolences to his family. Former presidents Francisco Sagasti, Manuel Merino, Martín Vizcarra and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski also conveyed their condolences, as well as Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén.
Supporters also gathered at Fujimori's house to mourn his death. His death in his native Peru drew mixed reactions; congressperson Sigrid Bazán commented that Fujimori was a "dictator, assassin and corrupt" and that "his legacy of corruptions, violations of human rights and authoritarianism" would persist beyond his death.
International media described him following his death as an "authoritarian" who was "divisive", and whose "heavy handed" tactics "created a negative legacy" in Peru that frustrated his eldest daughter's attempts to be elected to the presidency. No international leaders officially reacted to his death, but the former President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe Vélez, expressed his condolences and praised his administration, saying: "He rescued Peru from many problems". Jamil Mahuad, former President of Ecuador, praised Fujimori and stated that he regretted "the loss of a friend". Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, expressed his condolences to Fujimori's family, citing his role in resolving the Japanese embassy hostage crisis. At the same time, he acknowledged that Fujimori had been "evaluated in various ways" in part due to his human rights abuse cases.