Foreign media sources state that former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who was found guilty of violating human rights and engaging in corruption, has away at the age of 86. Known for his tough approach to the left-wing guerrilla group, the Shining Path, Fujimori ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000. However, accusations of corruption and breaches of human rights dogged his reign. He was apprehended in Chile, extradited to Peru after fleeing the country in the midst of corruption scandals, and found guilty and imprisoned there for a number of crimes, including ordering atrocities by death squad.
The news was released by Fujimori’s family that he had died following a protracted fight with tongue cancer, which was discovered early this year. After a renewed presidential pardon, he was freed from prison lately, having served more than 15 years of a 25-year sentence. According to reports, his condition caused complications that ultimately led to his death. During his final days, his doctor reported that he had serious respiratory problems.
In response to his death, the former president of Peru has elicited conflicting responses. While some praise him for his ability to defeat the Shining Path and stabilize the economy, others denounce his authoritarian rule and violations of human rights, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, many of them from indigenous communities.