Thousands marched in Peruvian Lima as election results dragged on for a month

LIMA – Thousands of Peruvians took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the uncertainty of the presidential election a month ago, with the confirmation of the leftist Pedro Castillo delaying the election protest of his conservative opponent. Keiko Fujimori.

Castillo’s supporters, carrying colorful Andean flags with photos of the former Socialist professor, marched on Congress, demanding that it maintain a lead of 44,000 votes.

Understand: Castillo, a trade unionist, focused on the losers’ votes of the ‘Peruvian miracle’

Keiko Fujimori’s supporters rallied to support allegations of voter fraud and attempts to invalidate some ballots, and election observers said the pressure on his party to keep the polls clean.

“Peru needs a president, and here we have elected Professor Pedro Castillo,” said Santos Savedra, head of the rural defense group known as Rondas Campesinas. – This popular will can be resisted.

We agree to disagree: Is Pedro Castillo’s victory in Peru a victory for the Left?

On June 6, Castillo (51), the son of a farmer, broke with Peru’s political-business system by promising to change the constitution of the copper – rich Andean country and increase taxes on mining.

Election officials examine ballots following challenges from Fujimori Fraud without strong evidence. The process must be completed before the result can be confirmed, with the inauguration of the new president on July 28th.

Supporters of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori protest against the imminent victory of leftist teacher Pedro Castillo in Lima, Peru Photo: Alessandro Cinque / REUTERS

In Peru, the team jersey is prominent among the supporters of the candidate representing the elite, Keiko Fujimori Photo: LIZ TASA / REUTERS

In Lima, Peru, police block a street to prevent clashes between candidate Keiko Fujimori and Pedro Castillo Photo: Alessandro Cinque / REUTERS

On Wednesday night, with 99.1% of the vote counted, Castillo had 50.2% of the valid vote, with 49.8% against Keiko Fujimori, with a difference of 71,441 votes.

Popular Force Party Peruvian candidate Keiko Fujimori protests in front of the building of the National Organization for Electoral Processes (ONP) in Lima. Without any evidence, the daughter of dictator Alberto Fujimori has been accused of rigging the election system, raising supporters Photo: Ernesto Benavides / AFP — Popular Forces candidate Peruvian candidate Keiko Fujimori protests in front of the National Organization for Electoral Processes (ONP) building in Lima. Without any evidence, the daughter of dictator Alberto Fujimori has been accused of rigging the election system, raising supporters Photo: Ernesto Benavides / AFP

Expected Election Minute Unionist Pedro Castillo Gains 70,000 Votes Photo: LIZ TASA / REUTERS

Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori gestures in front of a police barricade in Lima Photo: Alessandro Cinque / REUTERS

– The game is not over and there are still no winners. We are waiting for this result, ”Fujimori was surrounded by his followers in another part of the capital, Lima.

The interim government rejected Keiko’s demand for an international referendum.