With no winner declared in Peru, Petro celebrated and attacked Fujimori over an old video

The situation in Peru's presidential election has remained highly uncertain as the counting process continues without a clear winner yet. President Gustavo Petro of Colombia made headlines when he prematurely celebrated a victory for the left-wing candidate, Roberto Sánchez, on social media. His announcement came despite the ongoing nature of the vote count, which had not yet concluded. Petro expressed his belief that progressive forces had secured a win in Peru and hinted at restoring diplomatic relations between Colombia and Peru, as well as promoting greater regional integration among South American blocs. However, this premature declaration sparked controversy and criticism both domestically and internationally.

Petro’s comments were made during a critical phase of the electoral count, where the results were still being tallied. At that point, the official reports indicated a very narrow lead for Keiko Fujimori, the right-wing candidate, over Sánchez. The difference was less than one percentage point, with Fujimori holding a slight edge of approximately 4,200 votes. This margin means that the final outcome could take days or even weeks to determine, particularly due to the need to count overseas ballots. Both candidates have emphasized their commitment to waiting until the full count is completed before making any definitive claims about the result.

In addition to celebrating the supposed victory of Sánchez, Petro also took aim at Fujimori using an old video from February 2023. He shared footage that appeared to show Fujimori responding to Petro’s earlier remarks regarding protests in Peru. In that video, Fujimori had criticized Petro, calling him a "guerrillero" and expressing her disdain for his involvement in Peruvian affairs. Petro used this clip to accuse Fujimori of having been influenced by her father, former president Alberto Fujimori, who was convicted of crimes against humanity. He claimed that if Fujimori lost the election, it would not be because of his skin color but rather due to her father’s legacy.

This move by Petro drew further scrutiny, especially since the video he referenced was not recent. It had already been circulating online and was originally posted by a disinformation account. Critics pointed out that Petro's use of such content might be seen as an attempt to undermine Fujimori’s campaign and influence the ongoing political climate in Peru. Some Colombian politicians, including Senator Andrés Forero from the Centro Democrático party, criticized Petro for intervening in a sensitive moment of the election, arguing that the process should remain free from external interference.

Other voices within Colombia echoed these concerns, emphasizing that any foreign leader commenting on an election so close in results could exacerbate tensions and uncertainty among Peruvians. Senator Carlos Meisel noted the inconsistency in Petro’s approach, pointing out that he had previously urged caution during similar processes in Colombia. This contrast highlighted the potential double standards in how international leaders engage with domestic elections in different countries.

As the counting continues, the focus remains on the official results and the eventual determination of the presidency. With the current state of the vote count, neither candidate can claim a decisive advantage, and the possibility of a runoff remains open. The situation underscores the importance of patience and adherence to proper procedures in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. While Petro’s actions have drawn attention and debate, they also serve as a reminder of the delicate balance required in international political interactions, especially during times of high tension and uncertainty.