Hundreds of protesters marched through central Lima on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, to oppose the inauguration of Keiko Fujimori as president of Peru [1].
The demonstrations highlight a deep national divide and fears that the new administration will not address the human rights abuses and insecurity that have plagued the country. For many, the event marks a return to a political dynasty associated with historical instability.
Protesters gathered in the historic center of Lima, specifically near the Palace of Justice [2]. The crowds included families of victims from the social unrest that occurred between 2022 and 2023 [1]. These demonstrators said they fear the Fujimori government would fail to provide justice for those killed or injured during those previous disturbances [4].
While the streets of the capital saw unrest, the official ceremony attracted international attention. Reports said that eight Ibero-American leaders attended the event [3]. Other reports said that five conservative presidents from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Panama traveled to Lima for the ceremony [6].
Fujimori's ascent to the presidency comes as she seeks to break a decade of political instability [5]. However, the presence of protesters carrying flowers and Peruvian flags underscores the lack of consensus regarding her leadership [4]. The tension was further amplified as members of the political left reportedly abandoned the inauguration proceedings [2].
The security presence remained high in the historic center to prevent clashes between the opposing factions. Despite the protests, the formal transfer of power proceeded as scheduled on July 28 [1].
“Hundreds of protesters marched through central Lima on Tuesday, July 28, 2026”
The inauguration of Keiko Fujimori signals a potential shift toward conservative governance in Peru, but the immediate outbreak of protests suggests a fragile mandate. By centering the grievances of the 2022-2023 unrest, the opposition is framing her presidency not as a solution to instability, but as a potential catalyst for further social conflict. The attendance of several conservative regional leaders suggests a strategic alignment of right-wing governments across Latin America, which may isolate Peru from its more progressive neighbors.
