Popular Force
Popular Force (Spanish: Fuerza Popular), formerly known as Force 2011, is a conservative political party in Peru rooted in Fujimorism, founded in 2010 by Keiko Fujimori to advance the political legacy of her father, former President Alberto Fujimori.[1] The party promotes policies centered on economic liberalization, robust national security measures against organized crime and remnants of leftist insurgencies, and social programs aimed at inclusion, drawing from Alberto Fujimori's record of stabilizing the economy and defeating the Shining Path terrorist group in the 1990s.[2] Under Keiko Fujimori's leadership, Popular Force achieved significant electoral success, securing a congressional majority with 73 of 130 seats in the 2016 general elections, which allowed it to wield substantial influence over legislative agendas including anti-corruption initiatives and fiscal reforms.[3] However, the party faced a sharp reversal in the 2020 snap parliamentary elections, winning only 15 seats amid voter backlash against perceived congressional overreach during the presidency of Martín Vizcarra.[4] Keiko Fujimori has been the party's presidential candidate in 2011, 2016, and 2021, coming closest to victory in the latter runoff against Pedro Castillo by a margin of less than 1%, reflecting persistent public divisions over Fujimorism's authoritarian undertones and economic achievements.[5] The party has been embroiled in controversies, particularly allegations of corruption involving illicit campaign financing from the Brazilian firm Odebrecht, leading to ongoing trials against Keiko Fujimori for charges including money laundering and heading a criminal organization, though she maintains her innocence and denies the accusations.[6] These probes, pursued by Peruvian authorities since 2018, have tested the party's resilience but have not resulted in definitive convictions as of late 2025, amid critiques of judicial politicization in Peru's fragmented political landscape.[7] Popular Force continues to position itself as a bulwark against leftist policies and institutional instability, maintaining a core support base in urban centers and among those valuing security and growth over past governance flaws.[8]Origins and Formation
Roots in Fujimorism
Popular Force emerged as the primary political vehicle for Fujimorism following the collapse of Alberto Fujimori's regime in 2000, when the former president fled Peru amid corruption scandals and was later convicted for human rights abuses and authoritarian overreach.[9] Fujimorism, originating from Alberto Fujimori's unexpected 1990 election victory as an outsider against established parties, emphasized pragmatic neoliberal economic policies—such as the "Fujishock" reforms that curbed hyperinflation from over 7,000% annually in 1990 to single digits by 1992—and aggressive counterinsurgency measures that dismantled the Shining Path terrorist group, capturing its leader Abimael Guzmán in 1992 and reducing violence that had claimed over 69,000 lives.[10] These actions, while empirically effective in restoring stability and enabling GDP growth averaging 7% annually from 1993 to 1997, were marred by the 1992 self-coup dissolving Congress, extrajudicial killings by state-linked death squads, and systemic corruption under intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos.[11] Keiko Fujimori, Alberto's daughter and a former first lady during his tenure, founded the party on March 9, 2010, initially as Fuerza 2011, to contest the 2011 presidential election and rehabilitate her father's legacy among supporters who credited Fujimorism with Peru's transition from economic chaos and internal war to relative prosperity.[12] The party's platform inherited Fujimorism's core tenets: market-oriented economics favoring private investment and small businesses, robust security policies prioritizing law and order, and defense of the 1993 Constitution drafted under Alberto Fujimori, which expanded executive powers and enabled his 1995 reelection.[2] Despite mainstream critiques often amplified in academic and media narratives—potentially influenced by ideological opposition to Fujimorism's anti-leftist stance—polling data from the era showed sustained popular support for its outcomes, with Alberto Fujimori maintaining approval ratings above 50% into the late 1990s before scandals eroded them.[13] In 2012, Fuerza 2011 rebranded as Fuerza Popular to consolidate Fujimorist factions, excluding rival "albertista" elements loyal directly to Alberto and centralizing control under Keiko, who positioned the party as a defender of uncorrupted governance against perceived elite betrayals post-2000.[14] This organizational shift reflected Fujimorism's adaptive populism, blending authoritarian efficiency with appeals to underserved sectors, though it faced internal tensions between modernization efforts and nostalgic adherence to Alberto's methods.[15] The party's enduring roots in Fujimorism are evident in its advocacy for policies echoing the 1990s reforms, such as economic liberalization that contributed to poverty reduction from 58% in 1991 to 37% by 1997, albeit with ongoing debates over the sustainability and ethical costs of those gains.[16]Party Establishment in 2010
Popular Force, initially registered as Fuerza 2011, was founded on March 9, 2010, by Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, as a national political party to serve as her electoral vehicle for the 2011 presidential elections.[15][12] The party emerged from the remnants of prior Fujimorist groups, including support from the Alianza por el Futuro alliance, which had previously backed Fujimori's unsuccessful congressional bids in 2006.[12] This formation addressed the need for a unified structure compliant with the Jurado Nacional de Elecciones (JNE) requirements for national party inscription, involving the collection of necessary affidavits to achieve legal recognition ahead of the general elections.[12] Keiko Fujimori assumed leadership of the party from its inception, positioning it as a continuation of her father's political legacy while adapting to contemporary electoral demands.[15] The establishment reflected strategic efforts to consolidate Fujimorist supporters under a new banner, distancing from the scandals that had plagued earlier iterations like Cambio 90 and Nueva Mayoría, yet retaining core ideological commitments to economic stability and anti-terrorism policies associated with Alberto Fujimori's tenure.[12] By late 2010, Fuerza 2011 had successfully inscribed with the JNE, enabling participation in the 2011 polls where Fujimori secured second place in the first round.[12] In 2012, the party rebranded to Fuerza Popular, signaling a shift toward broader appeal and permanence beyond the immediate electoral cycle. This renaming occurred amid ongoing efforts to strengthen organizational foundations, including the adoption of formal statutes emphasizing democratic principles, state of law preservation, and national sovereignty.[17] The party's early structure prioritized rapid mobilization of grassroots support, drawing on familial networks and regional affiliates to build a base capable of national contention.[12]Historical Trajectory
Rise to Prominence (2011–2016)
Fuerza 2011, founded in 2010 under the leadership of Keiko Fujimori to contest the general elections, marked the initial vehicle for reviving Fujimorist influence in Peruvian politics. On April 10, 2011, Fujimori obtained 23.5% of the valid votes in the presidential first round, placing second behind Ollanta Humala's 31.7% and advancing to the runoff.[18] In the June 5 runoff, she received 48.55% against Humala's 51.45%, a narrow defeat that nonetheless demonstrated substantial support amid economic stability and nostalgia for her father's security-focused governance.[19] Simultaneously, Fuerza 2011 secured 37 of 130 seats in Congress, forming a key opposition bloc capable of influencing legislation during Humala's term.[20] The party rebranded as Popular Force in 2012, retaining Fujimori as its standard-bearer and emphasizing continuity with Alberto Fujimori's legacy of economic liberalization and anti-insurgency measures while distancing from his authoritarian excesses.[1] This period saw Popular Force consolidate as the principal right-wing alternative, capitalizing on voter dissatisfaction with Humala's leftist policies and corruption scandals, which eroded his coalition's congressional strength from 47 to fewer effective allies by mid-term. In the April 10, 2016, general elections, Popular Force surged to prominence. Keiko Fujimori won 39.86% in the presidential first round, far ahead of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's 21.05%, setting up a June 5 runoff that she lost by a razor-thin margin of 49.88% to 50.12%.[21] The congressional outcome was decisive: Popular Force captured 73 of 130 seats with 36.3% of the vote, achieving an absolute majority due to proportional representation dynamics favoring its broad regional appeal.[22][23] This legislative dominance positioned the party to block executive initiatives and shape policy on security, infrastructure, and anti-corruption, underscoring its transformation from marginal opposition to Peru's preeminent conservative force by 2016.Dominant Period and Setbacks (2016–2021)
In the 2016 general elections held on April 10, Popular Force secured a congressional majority with 73 seats out of 130, enabling the party to exert substantial control over Peru's legislative agenda despite Keiko Fujimori's narrow defeat in the presidential runoff on June 5 against Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.[24][21] This dominance allowed Popular Force to block executive initiatives, including budget approvals and anti-corruption measures, while attempting multiple impeachments against Kuczynski amid Odebrecht scandal revelations linking him to bribery.[25] The party's leverage contributed to Kuczynski's resignation on March 21, 2018, paving the way for Vice President Martín Vizcarra's ascension, yet Popular Force continued to oppose Vizcarra's administration through legislative obstruction and failed impeachment votes in 2018 and 2019.[25] Setbacks intensified with Keiko Fujimori's preventive detention on October 10, 2018, ordered by a judge investigating allegations of money laundering and illicit campaign financing tied to Odebrecht contributions for her 2011 presidential bid, which prosecutors claimed exceeded $1 million in undeclared funds funneled through falsified receipts.[26][27] Popular Force denounced the arrest as political persecution aimed at weakening Congress, but it eroded public support, with polls showing declining approval for the party's congressional bloc amid perceptions of corruption protectionism.[27] Internal fractures emerged, including defections and criticism of leadership, further hamstrung by Fujimori's house arrest extension in 2019 and ongoing probes.[28] Tensions peaked when Vizcarra dissolved Congress on September 30, 2019, invoking constitutional powers after Popular Force-led lawmakers denied confidence to his cabinet over stalled anti-corruption reforms, a move upheld by Peru's Constitutional Tribunal despite the party's supermajority enabling prior legislative gridlock.[25] In the ensuing snap legislative elections on January 26, 2020, Popular Force suffered a severe reversal, capturing only 12 seats in the 130-member Congress, a loss of over 60 seats attributed to voter backlash against perceived obstructionism and Fujimori family scandals.[29][4] This diminished influence persisted into the 2021 general elections, where Keiko Fujimori advanced to the presidential runoff on June 6 but lost to Pedro Castillo by 50.1% to 49.9%, with unsubstantiated fraud claims from her campaign failing to alter certified results.[30] The period underscored Popular Force's transition from legislative powerhouse to marginalized opposition, hampered by judicial scrutiny and electoral repudiation.Post-2021 Realignment
Following Keiko Fujimori's narrow defeat in the 2021 presidential runoff against Pedro Castillo, where she received 49.87% of the vote, Popular Force accepted the results after initially challenging them on grounds of alleged irregularities, though without success in altering the outcome.[31] The party secured 24 seats in the 130-member Congress, positioning it as a leading opposition force amid Peru's fragmented legislature.[32] This congressional foothold enabled Popular Force to play a pivotal role in scrutinizing the Castillo administration, contributing to multiple failed impeachment attempts before successfully backing his removal on December 7, 2022, for attempting a self-coup.[33] Under President Dina Boluarte, who assumed office after Castillo's ouster, Popular Force initially aligned with other conservative blocs to provide legislative support, including backing an amnesty law enacted on August 13, 2025, aimed at pardoning military personnel involved in past internal conflicts.[34] This cooperation reflected a pragmatic strategy to counter leftist remnants and address security concerns, as evidenced by the party's endorsement of measures against organized crime. However, amid rising public discontent over escalating violence and governance failures, Popular Force reversed course in early October 2025, announcing support for impeachment motions against Boluarte on grounds of moral incapacity.[35] This shift, described by party spokespeople as a response to Boluarte's detachment from citizen suffering, facilitated her unanimous congressional removal on October 10, 2025, paving the way for Congress President José Jerí's ascension.[36][37] Internally, the period saw consolidation around Fujimori family leadership, with Keiko Fujimori's acquittal by the Constitutional Tribunal on October 25, 2025, in a money-laundering case clearing obstacles for her potential 2026 presidential bid.[38] The party also strengthened its congressional influence by securing presidencies of key commissions in August 2025, enhancing oversight on economic and security portfolios.[39] Strategically, Popular Force began evaluating a refreshed government platform for the 2026 elections, emphasizing anti-crime initiatives while distancing from prior alliances perceived as stabilizing an unpopular regime.[40] This realignment underscores a pivot toward aggressive opposition tactics and electoral renewal, leveraging Peru's ongoing instability to rebuild voter support eroded by the 2021 loss.Ideology and Policy Stances
Fujimorist Foundations
Popular Force draws its ideological core from Fujimorism, a political doctrine centered on the pragmatic governance model of former President Alberto Fujimori (1990–2000), emphasizing decisive state intervention to address acute crises in economy, security, and governance. This foundation prioritizes national stability over ideological purity, rooted in responses to Peru's hyperinflation exceeding 7,000% annually in 1990 and the insurgency of groups like Shining Path, which controlled significant rural territories. Fujimorism posits that effective leadership requires flexibility, including temporary authoritarian measures to restore order, as exemplified by the April 5, 1992, dissolution of Congress and judiciary to combat institutional paralysis amid terrorism.[41][15] Economically, Fujimorism advocates a social market economy blending neoliberal reforms with targeted social inclusion, crediting the "Fujishock" liberalization package of August 1990—encompassing price deregulation, subsidy cuts, and fiscal austerity—for halting hyperinflation and fostering sustained growth, with GDP tripling and averaging 5% annual expansion from 1993 to 2019. Popular Force upholds this legacy through commitments to private investment, formal job creation, and poverty alleviation via programs like FONCODES (rural infrastructure) and PRONAA (food assistance), which contributed to reducing poverty from 55% in 1990 to 20.2% by 2019 by empowering marginalized sectors, particularly micro-entrepreneurs and women.[41][42][15] On security, the doctrine stresses a "strong hand" approach, prioritizing military and intelligence operations to dismantle threats, as demonstrated by the capture of Shining Path leader Abimael Guzmán on September 12, 1992, which fragmented the group's command structure and restored state presence in affected areas through infrastructure and services rather than negotiation. Popular Force extends this to contemporary policies combating narcoterrorism and delinquency via enhanced police training, new penitentiaries, and alternative development in vulnerable regions, viewing security as foundational to economic and social progress.[15][42] Socially conservative tenets form another pillar, defending traditional family structures, the right to life from conception, and opposition to expansive state welfare that fosters dependency, aligned with the 1993 Constitution's emphasis on individual rights, equality of opportunity, and rule of law—approved by referendum on October 31, 1993. The party's decálogo explicitly protects marriage, family, and unborn life while promoting merit-based inclusion for historically neglected groups, rejecting demagogic redistribution in favor of technical aid that builds self-reliance. Fujimorism's personalist orientation, tied to the Fujimori lineage, reinforces loyalty to these principles as a bulwark against leftist ideologies perceived as sources of prior chaos.[8][15][42]Economic and Anti-Corruption Positions
Popular Force's economic positions align with neoliberal principles, emphasizing free-market reforms, private sector-led growth, and attraction of foreign direct investment to sustain Peru's export-oriented economy, particularly in mining and agriculture. The party advocates maintaining macroeconomic stability through fiscal discipline and incentives for investment, building on the liberalization policies implemented during Alberto Fujimori's presidency in the 1990s, which reduced hyperinflation from over 7,000% in 1990 to single digits by 1997 via privatization and deregulation.[43] [44] In its 2021 government plan presented by Keiko Fujimori, the party proposed temporary tax exemptions—three years for tourism and two years for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—to spur post-pandemic recovery, alongside $921 million in state-guaranteed loans for businesses and increased public-private partnerships aimed at reducing poverty to 15% by 2026.[45] [46] Specific to mining, which accounts for over 60% of Peru's exports, Popular Force pledged to allocate 40% of mining and natural gas taxes directly to affected local communities and introduce a "solidarity contribution" levy on mining firms during periods of high metal prices to finance agricultural development.[45] The plan also included raising the minimum wage and prioritizing industry reactivation to generate employment, positioning the economy as centrist with pro-business leanings rather than radical deregulation.[47] [48] On anti-corruption, Popular Force publicly endorses institutional reforms to combat graft, including laws enhancing transparency in public procurement and prohibiting individuals convicted of corruption from holding office, as enacted in October 2016 shortly after the party's congressional majority was secured with 73 of 130 seats.[49] The party's platform has historically emphasized strengthening judicial independence and prosecutorial powers to prosecute high-level officials, framing such measures as essential for investor confidence and economic stability. However, these positions have been undermined by internal scandals, including ongoing investigations since 2016 into Keiko Fujimori and party operatives for alleged money laundering of over $1 million in undeclared campaign funds from 2011 and 2016, linked to Brazilian firm Odebrecht, leading to her pretrial detention orders in 2018 and 2020 before partial releases on appeal.[50] [51] During its control of Congress from 2016 to 2019, Popular Force approved some anti-corruption bills but repeatedly denied votes of confidence to President Martín Vizcarra's administration over proposed judicial purges and anti-immunity reforms, culminating in Congress's dissolution by Vizcarra in September 2019 on grounds of obstructing anti-corruption progress, a move upheld by Peru's Constitutional Tribunal.[52] This record has drawn criticism from transparency watchdogs for selective enforcement, as the party prioritized blocking probes into allies while prosecuting opponents, contrasting with its campaign rhetoric of "zero tolerance" for corruption.[53] Despite these controversies, Popular Force maintains that robust anti-corruption requires balanced legislative oversight to prevent executive overreach, as articulated in Keiko Fujimori's 2021 proposals for merit-based judicial appointments.[45]Security and Social Policies
Popular Force emphasizes stringent security policies rooted in the Fujimorist tradition of decisive action against internal threats, crediting Alberto Fujimori's administration with dismantling terrorist groups like Shining Path and restoring national order in the 1990s.[42] The party advocates for enhanced law enforcement capabilities and military involvement in public safety, including proposals for a national emergency plan against urban terrorism structured around seven key measures, such as intelligence reinforcement and rapid response protocols, following the October 9, 2025, attack in Chorrillos that highlighted rising extortion and gang violence.[54] In line with this approach, party leaders have publicly backed police use of force to quell protests and maintain order, criticizing local officials for inadequate support during unrest.[55] Keiko Fujimori, the party's perennial presidential candidate, has campaigned on aggressive anti-crime platforms, including hiring former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2011 as an advisor to import "broken windows" policing tactics aimed at preventing minor offenses from escalating into major disorder.[56] This stance reflects a broader commitment to "mano dura" (iron fist) policies, prioritizing citizen safety through expanded surveillance, stricter penalties for organized crime, and opposition to perceived leniency in judicial handling of delinquents, amid Peru's homicide rate of approximately 7.7 per 100,000 in 2024—elevated by urban gang activities despite being lower than regional averages.[57] On social policies, Popular Force supports targeted, data-driven welfare initiatives to combat poverty and promote inclusion, as outlined in their 2016 government plan, which calls for refining existing programs using empirical diagnostics to allocate resources efficiently rather than expanding entitlements indiscriminately.[42] The party aligns with conservative social values, defending traditional family structures and resisting legislative advances in gender ideology, such as comprehensive sex education reforms perceived as undermining parental authority and cultural norms—a position shared with Peru's religious right coalitions that have blocked bills on gender equality since the 2010s.[58] This framework ties social stability to economic discipline and moral order, echoing Fujimori-era reforms that correlated stability with reduced social unrest through poverty alleviation via market-oriented growth, though critics attribute persistent inequalities to insufficient redistributive focus.[2]Leadership and Internal Structure
Successive Party Presidents
Keiko Fujimori established Popular Force, originally registered as Fuerza 2011, on March 9, 2010, and has held the position of party president continuously since its founding.[12] Under her leadership, the party rebranded to Fuerza Popular in advance of the 2016 elections and maintained a centralized structure with Fujimori as the primary decision-maker, supported by roles such as secretary-general.[59] Party statutes outline the president's election by national congress, but no documented transitions or competitive elections altering this role have occurred, reflecting Fujimori's foundational and enduring authority amid the party's electoral campaigns in 2011, 2016, and 2021.[59] This stability has enabled consistent advocacy for Fujimorist policies, despite internal factional tensions and external legal challenges facing the leadership.[60]Key Influential Figures
Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, founded Popular Force (then Fuerza 2011) on March 9, 2010, and has served as its enduring leader, directing its electoral strategies and ideological orientation toward Fujimorism. She led the party to congressional dominance in 2016, securing 73 of 130 seats, though presidential bids in 2011, 2016, and 2021 fell short.[4] Her influence stems from mobilizing support around economic stability and anti-corruption rhetoric inherited from her father's administration, despite ongoing legal challenges related to campaign financing.[61] Alberto Fujimori, president from July 28, 1990, to November 21, 2000, provides the ideological bedrock for Popular Force through Fujimorism, emphasizing neoliberal reforms, security crackdowns against leftist insurgents, and centralized authority that stabilized Peru amid hyperinflation and violence.[62] Though imprisoned from 2007 until a 2023 humanitarian pardon and deceased on September 11, 2024, his legacy shapes the party's voter base, with Popular Force explicitly continuing policies like the 1993 Constitution's market-oriented framework.[63] Luis Galarreta, serving as national secretary general since at least 2021, coordinates internal structure and parliamentary tactics, including alliances and opposition maneuvers.[64] As former congressman (2006–2020) and president of Congress (2018–2019), he advanced Popular Force's legislative priorities, such as budget oversight and impeachment efforts against executives perceived as unstable. Martha Chávez, a Fujimorist stalwart and lawyer, held congressional seats from 1995–2000 and 2011–2016, presiding over Congress in 1995 and influencing human rights committee roles despite controversies over self-amnesty laws.[65] Reintegrated into active party roles in October 2025, she bolsters campaigns by defending Fujimori-era achievements like defeating Shining Path terrorism.[65] Luz Salgado, journalist-turned-politician, represented Popular Force in Congress from 2011–2019 and presided over it from July 2015 to July 2016, steering debates on security and economic bills during the party's peak influence.[66] Her departure in June 2019 highlighted internal tensions but underscored her prior role in sustaining Fujimorist cohesion amid executive conflicts.[66]Electoral Record
Presidential Campaigns
Popular Force has primarily advanced Keiko Fujimori as its presidential candidate in Peru's general elections since the party's founding. In the 2011 election, Fujimori, running under an alliance incorporating the nascent Popular Force, placed second in the first round on April 10 with substantial urban support, advancing to the June 5 runoff against Ollanta Humala.[19] Humala secured victory with 51.5% of the vote.[19] The 2016 campaign marked Popular Force's strongest presidential showing, with Fujimori winning the April 10 first round amid promises of economic continuity and anti-crime measures.[67] She faced Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the June 5 runoff, where final tallies showed Kuczynski prevailing by 50.1% to Fujimori's 49.9%, prompting her concession on June 10.[68] [69] The narrow defeat highlighted polarized voter preferences between Fujimorism and establishment alternatives. In 2021, amid a crowded field of 18 candidates, Fujimori advanced from the April 11 first round to contest the June 6 runoff against Pedro Castillo, despite securing only around 13% initially.[70] With over 94% of votes counted, Castillo led 50.07% to Fujimori's 49.92%.[71] Fujimori alleged voting irregularities and demanded recounts, but Peru's National Jury of Elections certified Castillo's win on July 19, after which she conceded while criticizing her opponent's platform.[72] [73] These campaigns underscored Popular Force's consistent appeal in urban and conservative demographics, though repeated runoff losses reflected anti-Fujimori sentiment tied to her father's authoritarian legacy.Congressional Contests
In the 2011 general elections, Popular Force, then competing as Fuerza 2011, secured 37 seats in the 130-member Congress, establishing itself as a significant opposition force following Keiko Fujimori's narrow presidential defeat. This result reflected voter support for Fujimorist policies amid dissatisfaction with the incumbent government. The party's strongest performance came in the 2016 general elections, where it won 71 seats—over half of the Congress—translating to effective control of the legislature despite Fujimori's presidential loss in the runoff.[74] [24] This majority enabled Popular Force to block executive initiatives and shape anti-corruption probes, though internal divisions and corruption allegations eroded its cohesion by 2019, contributing to President Martín Vizcarra's dissolution of Congress in October of that year.[4] The 2020 extraordinary congressional election, held on January 26 after the dissolution, marked a severe setback, with Popular Force obtaining only 15 seats amid widespread voter backlash against perceived obstructionism and scandals.[75] [4] The fragmented results fragmented power further, as no party gained a majority.| Election Year | Vote Share (%) | Seats Won (out of 130) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 23.0 | 37 |
| 2016 | 36.8 | 71 [74] |
| 2020 | 7.7 | 15 [75] |
| 2021 | 11.7 | 24 [32] |