Controversy over lifetime pension for Fujimori resurfaces in the Peruvian Congress.

The debate over the lifetime pension granted to Alberto Fujimori, former president of Peru, has resurfaced in Congress, generating a wave of criticism and questioning. Despite the sentences condemning him for human rights violations and corruption, sources indicate that the current Board of Directors, led by Eduardo Salhuana, has no intention of reversing the decision made by the previous legislature that approved this benefit. This fact has led many to question the legality and ethics of this pension. The monthly pension of S/15,600 has been a subject of controversy since its approval. Article 2 of Law No. 26519 states that this right is suspended when the beneficiary faces constitutional accusations, which is the case for Fujimori, who has multiple sentences against him. The lack of a strong response from the Board of Directors has left many legislators and citizens with a sea of doubts regarding the legality of granting this pension. The second vice president of Congress, Waldemar Cerrón, has not provided clarity on the situation, and his attempt to distance himself from responsibility by claiming that the decision was made by the previous administration has only increased confusion. The lack of effective communication and transparency in this matter reflects the crisis of trust facing Congress, an institution that already bears a heavy burden of distrust from the public. Congressman Alejandro Muñante from Renovación Popular has pointed out that the situation is a "hot potato" and has demanded a detailed response regarding the pension. This outcry adds to the voices of other legislators who have questioned the appropriateness of maintaining a benefit for a political figure with such a controversial history. The lifetime pension not only represents a significant expense for the state, but also generates considerable social unrest in a country where the memory of human rights violations during his government is still fresh. Ruth Luque, a congresswoman from the Bloque Popular Democrático, has formally submitted her request to annul the pension, stating that she has received indications that there will be a written response. However, her insistence on the revelation of documents justifying the granting of this benefit highlights a lack of clarity in the administrative process of Congress. The lack of information about the decision and the implications of this lifetime pension fuels suspicion about the transparency of the process. The Secretary General of Alianza para el Progreso, Luis Valdez, has rejected any insinuation of an agreement between his party and Fuerza Popular to facilitate the payment of the pension to Fujimori. However, the connection between Congress officials and the APP party, which has been the subject of investigations in the past, does not help improve the image of this decision. Valdez has urged the current administration to review the requests for annulment of the pension, implying that there are internal divisions even within his caucus on how to act in this controversial situation. The decision to grant a lifetime pension to Fujimori has been approved by high-ranking officials in Congress linked to the Alianza para el Progreso party, raising even more questions about the independence and objectivity of legislative decisions. The head of the Human Resources Department and the head of the Legal and Constitutional Office have been identified as key figures in the process that led to the approval of this benefit. The closeness of these officials to the political party also raises doubts about the integrity of the decisions made. The timeline of events leading to the approval of the pension raises more questions than answers. From its request to Congress on April 29 to the authorized disbursement on May 10, there seems to be a series of administrative decisions that were made with unusual speed. This could suggest a lack of due diligence in evaluating Fujimori's background and his eligibility to receive this benefit, an issue that could be interpreted as a clear sign of political favoritism. The current situation in Congress once again reflects the deep political polarization in the country. The lifetime pension to Fujimori has become a symbol of the tensions between different political currents and a demonstration of how Peru's recent history continues to influence contemporary politics. The pressure to annul this pension can be seen as an attempt to restore trust in institutions and justice, while the lack of action may perpetuate the sense of impunity surrounding political figures with tumultuous pasts. The case of Fujimori is a wake-up call for Congress and Peruvian society. How this situation is handled will not only affect the public perception of the institution but will also have broader repercussions on how issues of justice and accountability are addressed in the country. At a time when trust in the political system is fundamental, clarity and transparency are more necessary than ever. The community expects a response that is not only legally valid but also morally just.