Roberto Sánchez, the presidential candidate for Juntos por el Perú (JP), announced the formation of a Patriotic Front to restore democracy. He emphasized that the Fujimori-backed candidate is not recognized in the regions and that he will support the mobilized people.
At a press conference held this Sunday, July 5, in Lima, also present were the candidates for first and second vice president of the Republic, Analí Márquez and Brígida Curo, and Senator-elect Jaime Quito, among others.
Governing with the People
“We are convinced that in the coming days we will demonstrate how to establish a democratic hegemony, a parliamentary front, and a national project to rebuild the nation, because we are going to restore the right to a referendum for our people, to govern according to the will and decisions of our people, because our goal will be the rebuilding of the nation,” stated Roberto Sánchez, addressing the press.
There Is Nothing to Discuss
Regarding the question, “What do you expect from a Fujimori-led government in its first 100 days?”
Sánchez replied: “There is a resounding rejection in the regions, provinces, and districts of our country—that is the answer. But knowing that we are engaged in politics for the common good, for the 35 million Peruvians, let us challenge Fujimorism to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate and identify which political authorities permitted the disproportionate use of force that allowed the army and police—invoking reasons of state—to murder more than 50 of our brothers and sisters. As long as there is no political will to sit down at the table to truly resolve the issue, identify those responsible, punish them, and provide redress to the victims’ own families… There is nothing to discuss!”
He also addressed the repeal of pro-crime laws:
“How are our people dying at the hands of criminals? As a result of your pro-crime laws that have spared this entire political mafia from prosecution. If there is no genuine willingness to repeal these laws that are killing more than seven of our brothers and sisters every day… there is nothing to discuss,” he asserted.
Criminal Charges Against the Ombudsman and Leaders
Furthermore, he challenged:
“You, Ms. Keiko Fujimori, have confessed that you conspired, met, and decided to disregard and remove President Pedro Castillo—a democratic government—by any means necessary. Today, aided by your friends and by these powers seized by a biased electoral justice system—the justice system you have hijacked—we ask you: ‘Do you want to reform that justice system?’ We have no confidence in it.”
He also reported a criminal complaint against his legal representative “for serious disturbances” after the representative requested guarantees for the recent protest, which was not authorized. At that time, he was told: “If you organize a demonstration, you do so at your own risk, and it is against the law.”
“What is against the law? If freedom of movement is a constitutional right, if the demonstration—as it was—was peaceful, it is constitutional and must be respected… They have just filed a criminal complaint against him for serious disturbances, and he has already been summoned. And who is summoning him? The very National Police, which now has the authority to conduct preliminary investigations,” he revealed, denouncing that “just as they have prosecuted other leaders of ours, social leaders, we are organizing, because we are going to defend them with the full force of the law, with the full mobilization of our people.”
They Do Not Recognize Keiko
He also emphasized that “we bear an immense responsibility for this Peru that has painted the national territory green. Although there are compatriots who have voted differently, and that is respected. But in a healthy democracy—without capricious changes to the rules, without irregularities, and with transparency—the verdict of that electoral justice system would be different.
Let that legal process we are challenging continue to run its course. Because it is Keiko Fujimori whom the regions do not recognize, whom they do not accept, and she will face a term in office marked by profound illegitimacy, concern, anxiety, and stress,” Sánchez concluded.
