Controversy in Peru: Keiko Fujimori questioned because she will leave the country during Pope Leo XIV's visit

LIMA.– Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori will not be in her country to bid farewell to Pope Leo XIV next week, when the tour that took the Pontiff to three South American countries — including Argentina — concludes, a notable absence that has already unleashed a sea of criticism from the opposition. Keiko's no-show, as she will travel to China and Japan, was described as a diplomatic slight to the Pope, who is traveling to his second homeland just weeks after undergoing surgery that called for rest, and after which he decided to set out anyway on a journey that began in Uruguay and continued in Argentina. The full Senate authorized Fujimori's trip, scheduled from November 15 to 21, a formality that nevertheless drew five votes against, while several other voices expressed their displeasure. The start date overlaps with Leo XIV's final activities, especially the Mass at the Base de las Palmas on Monday the 16th, which is expected to draw massive crowds. Fujimori at a press conference (Archive) ERNESTO BENAVIDES - AFP Fujimori will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) Summit in Shenzhen and will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, before continuing on to Japan. Her father, former president Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000), had a memorable episode in Japan, when, in the middle of a visit and while his political situation in Peru was deteriorating, he sent his formal resignation and did not return for several years. He ultimately ended up convicted of corruption and human rights violations during his tenure, a government that began with an electoral victory and soon turned into an autocratic regime that many remember for having improved the economy and fought terrorism, but that others repudiate as a corrupt and authoritarian dictatorship. Senator Carlos Caballero León, of the Good Government Party, highlighted the importance of Leo XIV's visit, which calls for the head of state's presence, and therefore noted that her absence projects an image of disorganization and diplomatic weakness. He added that her trip is a direct consequence of poor planning and called it a "ministerial blunder." The then bishop of Chiclayo, Robert Francis Prevost, now Leo XIV. "[To the Pope] We send our sincere apologies for the government's blunder" regarding Fujimori's "inopportune" departure, said Caballero León, though he said he voted in favor of authorizing the trip to safeguard the commitments with APEC. Unacceptable interference Senator Mirtha Vásquez, of Ahora Nación, said for her part that the president's participation in the APEC Summit was important. It is — she added — a strategic trip. However, she indicated that "it is unacceptable that it interferes with the Pope's visit." For this reason, she proposed during the debate that the dates be adjusted. Daniel Barragán, of the Civic Works Party, defended the president, pointing out that these are two different things. "You cannot mix in the president's work. Doesn't God want Peru to move forward? The Pope will understand why the president must travel," he declared. On Tuesday night, Fujimori responded to criticism from some sectors by saying that the agenda could not be changed. "We tried to change dates, but it was impossible," said the head of state. "We tried to juggle things, to change the dates, the times, and it was impossible. The only thing I can say is that we are full of excitement; the Pope will be welcomed by all Peruvians," she said. "My heart stays in Peru, but as president I have state obligations to fulfill, and of course we will bring many donations for the country, to deal with the El Niño phenomenon and to continue promoting trade and more investment coming to Peru," she added. The president asked "that no one politicize such a beautiful arrival" and said that the Pope's visit "is a moment of joy, unity, and reconciliation for Peruvians." That did not spare her from criticism, which kept piling up. "The most ill-mannered thing: the president will not be at Leo XIV's farewell. She may not realize the effect this will have," said former Interior Minister Carlos Basombrío, who also commented that the decision could have a political calculation behind it given the Pope's stances. "Worse still, some will see it as a calculated slight to the man who, as bishop of Chiclayo, said her father should sincerely ask forgiveness from the victims of the crimes that landed him in prison," he added on X. When he was bishop of Chiclayo, Robert Prevost criticized the pardon that Alberto Fujimori received in December 2017 and stated that the dictator, who died in 2024, should have "personally asked forgiveness for some of the great injustices that were committed and for which he was tried." With information from El Comercio/GDA