The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petroanticipated this Monday the official results of the Peruvian presidential second round by publicly congratulate Roberto Sánchez and attribute the victory to himdespite the fact that the scrutiny process has not yet concluded and the difference with Keiko Fujimori remains minimal.
Through their social networks, Peter celebrated what he considered a triumph of progressive forces in Peruwhen The electoral authorities were still processing the last minutes and the result remained open due to the small margin between the candidates.
“Progressivism has just won the presidency of the Peru and has defeated the most extreme right-wing force in that country, the one represented by the family Fujimori“wrote the Colombian president.
The statement attracted attention because it occurred before Peruvian electoral authorities officially proclaimed a winner. At the time of the statements, Roberto Sanchez maintained a narrow lead over Keiko Fujimoriwith a difference of just tens of thousands of votes in an election marked by political polarization.
The Colombian president’s statement did not surprise those who have followed the political relationship between Peter and the progressive Peruvian sectors.
During the last years, Peter has publicly defended the former president Pedro Castillowho came to power in 2021 and He was dismissed after attempting to dissolve Congress. Since then, the Colombian president has maintained that Castle was victim of a breakdown of the democratic order.
In your message, Peter stated that the apparent victory of Sanchez It also represented a political demand for the former Peruvian president.
The position of Peter In the past, the Peruvian crisis caused a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations between Bogota and Lime. After his constant criticism of the government of Dina Boluarte, Peru declared the Colombian president persona non gratawhile Colombia It withdrew its ambassador in Peruvian territory in March 2023.
Convinced that Sanchez will arrive at Government Palace, Peter He even announced diplomatic measures that he would seek to promote with a future leftist administration in Peru.
Among them mentioned the full reestablishment of diplomatic relations between both countries and the possibility of promoting greater regional integration.
“I will fully restore diplomatic relations and ask the new president that we initiate a merger of the Andean Pact with Mercosur”, he stated.
However, these statements occur when the Peruvian electoral result It has not yet been made official and the count continues to advance.
The posture of Peter It also has an internal dimension.
Colombia will hold its own presidential second round on June 21, in which they will face Abelardo de la Espriellaidentified with the right, and Ivan Cepedacandidate supported by the ruling party.
The Peruvian contest has been closely followed by Colombian political actors due to the ideological similarities between both processes.
Before the elections in Peru, From Espriella had a conversation with Keiko Fujimori in which he expressed his support. “You will be president with the help of God,” the Colombian candidate told her.
Fujimori responded by highlighting the decision of From Espriella to participate in politics and wished him success in the Colombian electoral campaign.
Meanwhile, in Peruthe country continues to wait for the latest updates on the vote to find out who will finally occupy the presidency for the next five years.
