Alberto Fujimori, Peru’s controversial former president who dominated the country’s politics in the 1990s, has died at the age of 86. He passed away on Wednesday evening at his daughter Keiko Fujimori’s home in Lima, just 10 months after being granted a pardon and released from prison.

Keiko Fujimori announced his death on X (formerly Twitter), sharing that her father had succumbed to cancer and asking for prayers for his soul. She was joined in mourning by her siblings Hiro, Sachie, and Kenji.

Fujimori, who led Peru from 1990 to 2000, is remembered as one of the country’s most polarizing figures. His presidency is characterized by both significant economic reforms and severe human rights abuses. Supporters credit him with defeating the Maoist Shining Path insurgency and reviving Peru’s economy from severe hyperinflation. In contrast, his tenure was marked by widespread corruption and an authoritarian approach to governance, including the use of death squads and suppression of political dissent.

In 2009, Fujimori was convicted of human rights violations, including kidnapping and murder, receiving a 25-year prison sentence. Despite his release in December 2023, following a controversial humanitarian pardon, his legacy remains deeply contentious. Critics argue that his rule left a legacy of cynicism and corruption in Peru's political system.

Fujimori initially entered politics as an outsider candidate in 1990, defeating Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa. His presidency saw the violent repression of opposition and corruption scandals, leading to his resignation in 2000 after fleeing to Japan. He attempted a political comeback in 2005 but was arrested in Chile and extradited to Peru in 2007.

Human rights lawyer Carlos Rivera and political science professor Jo-Marie Burt have both noted that Fujimori’s legacy is tainted by his human rights abuses and corruption, despite some economic achievements and his role in defeating the Shining Path. The impact of his rule continues to influence Peru’s political landscape and societal perceptions.