The Fujimori family in the eye of the judicial storm: the trial of Keiko and its impact on Peruvian politics.

The Fujimori family, one of the most influential and controversial in the political history of Peru, finds itself once again in the eye of the judicial storm. With Keiko Fujimori under scrutiny for alleged money laundering, the process is unfolding as a complex web that threatens to extend beyond what is imaginable. The political legacy of the Fujimoris has been characterized by ups and downs, from the rise of Alberto Fujimori in 1990 as elected president, to his subsequent downfall marked by corruption scandals, electoral fraud, and convictions for crimes against humanity. However, the constant presence of the family in the national political scene has kept the flame of Fujimorism alive over the years. Keiko Fujimori, daughter of the former president, has followed in her father's footsteps by venturing into politics and running for the presidency on more than one occasion. Her candidacy has generated divisions and polarizations in Peruvian society, with fervent supporters and staunch detractors shaping the nation's political landscape. The start of the trial in which Keiko is accused of money laundering has sparked unprecedented interest, not only for the legal implications it may have for her and her circle, but also for the potential repercussions on the Fujimori family's political future. With more than 30 candidates in contention, the possibility of Keiko running for president again and her father seeking a seat in the Senate is not off the table. However, the complexity of the trial and the magnitude of the accusations seem to forecast a long and tortuous process. With 48 defendants and over 1,000 witnesses announced by the prosecution, the case presents itself as a judicial labyrinth of titanic proportions. The defense's delaying tactics and the constant expansion of accused individuals by the prosecutor have led the trial down an uncertain and obstacle-ridden path. Despite the judges' efforts to expedite the process, the expectations that the trial will conclude before the 2026 elections seem increasingly distant. A comparison with the case of Ollanta Humala and Nadine Heredia, which has been ongoing for over 28 months without a clear resolution in sight, casts shadows of uncertainty over the future of Keiko Fujimori and her legal fate. The complexity of the case is exacerbated by the ambiguity of the laws regarding money laundering during the period in which the alleged acts took place. While some argue that the accusations do not align with the legislation in force at that time, others contend that receiving funds of illicit origin and not declaring them should be unequivocally penalized. In this context of uncertainty and anticipation, the trial of Keiko Fujimori emerges as a turning point in Peru's political history. The consequences of a potential conviction or acquittal will not only impact the future of the Fujimori family but will also set a precedent in the fight against corruption and impunity in the country. In a landscape where justice appears as a maze with no clear way out, the shadow of Fujimorism looms over Peru's political horizon, reminding us of the persistence of a legacy marked by both light and shadow, achievements and abuses, posing the eternal question: guilty, innocent, or something else entirely?