The attendance of King Felipe VI at the inauguration of Keiko Fujimori as president of Peru, last Tuesday in Lima, symbolized the firm will of Spain and Peru to continue strengthening a historical relationship based on cooperation, dialogue, and the close ties that unite both countries.
The presence of the head of the Spanish State at the events of the transmission of the presidency of the Andean country reinforces the close relationship between Spain and Peru, two countries united by deep historical, cultural, and economic ties. With this visit, Felipe VI has now attended 23 inaugurations of Ibero-American leaders since his proclamation as king.
The arrival of Keiko Fujimori to the Presidency also means the return of Fujimorism to power twenty-six years after the departure of her father, Alberto Fujimori. The new president won the elections by a narrow margin of less than 50,000 votes, after having unsuccessfully run in the three previous presidential elections.
Fujimori’s investiture is historic for several reasons: she becomes the first woman elected by popular vote to the Presidency of Peru, marks the return of Fujimorism to power after almost three decades, and makes her the ninth person to hold the Presidency of the country in just ten years.
The inauguration ceremony, held coinciding with Peru’s National Day, took place in the Congress of the Republic, where the new president took the oath and received the presidential mandate. Hours earlier, at the Torre Tagle Palace, the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she received delegations and international authorities present in Lima for the investiture.
Meetings on the eve of the investiture
The official agenda of the monarch began on Monday with his arrival in Lima, where he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Carlos Pareja, in a ceremonial protocol held at the Callao Air Base.
During the day before the investiture, Felipe VI held a meeting with representatives of the Spanish community residing in Peru and met with the acting president, José María Balcázar, at the Government Palace. They reviewed the state of bilateral relations and addressed issues of common interest related to political dialogue, cooperation, investments, and security.
Likewise, the role of the Peruvian community residing in Spain as an important human, social, and cultural bridge between both countries was highlighted, as well as the shared interest in continuing to promote economic ties and bilateral cooperation.
Subsequently, the King met with the elected president at the Torre Tagle Palace. According to Fujimori’s circle, both reaffirmed the bonds of friendship between Spain and Peru and expressed their commitment to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
A long-standing relationship
Felipe VI’s presence at this investiture marks the second occasion he has attended as king at a presidential inauguration in Peru, after having been present at Pedro Castillo’s in 2021.
Previously, when he was Prince of Asturias, he represented Spain at the investiture ceremonies of Alejandro Toledo in 2001, Alan García in 2006, and Ollanta Humala in 2011, reflecting the continuity of the Spanish Crown’s involvement in relations with Latin America.
