Keiko Fujimori Accused of Misusing Public Funds for U.S. Trip, ONPE Report reveals
Table of Contents
- Keiko Fujimori Accused of Misusing Public Funds for U.S. Trip, ONPE Report reveals
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- The California Trip: A Questionable “Training Activity”
- ONPE’s Recommendations and Fuerza Popular’s Response
- Key Takeaways from the ONPE Report
- Broader Implications for Peruvian Politics
- What’s Next?
- Questionable Purchases and lack of Transparency
- Legal Implications and Potential Sanctions
- Key Points at a Glance
- Broader Implications for Political Accountability
- A Call for Greater Oversight
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In a shocking revelation, the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) has uncovered that Keiko Fujimori, leader of Fuerza Popular, allegedly misused public funds to finance her trip to California, United states, between May 28 and 31, 2024. the ONPE report,published on January 8,2025,details how S/27,921.53 of public resources allocated to Fuerza Popular were used for Fujimori’s U.S. visit, raising serious questions about the party’s compliance with electoral financing regulations.
The report highlights that Fuerza Popular failed to report the trip as a training activity, violating Article 25 of the Financing and Supervision Regulation of party Funds (RFSFP). This regulation mandates that political parties must inform the ONPE of planned activities at least 15 days before their execution.
The California Trip: A Questionable “Training Activity”
The trip, labeled as a “training, conference, and academic exchange” in California, included former congressman Juan del Águila Cárdenas, national secretary of political formation Marco Pacheco, and Keiko Fujimori. However,the ONPE determined that the event did not qualify as a training activity because it lacked participation from party members.
According to the ONPE, the activity involved “protocol visits, conversations, and visits to the headquarters of various global companies.” The report states, “The political party presents in its reporting of expenses a training activity called ‘training, conferences, and academic exchange in the state of california’… evidence that the expense for the training activity would not comply with the provisions of article 20 of the RFSFP.”
This alleged misuse of funds constitutes a second violation, as Article 20 of the RFSFP stipulates that technical training activities must facilitate the growth of citizens capable of occupying public positions.
ONPE’s Recommendations and Fuerza Popular’s Response
In light of these irregularities, the ONPE has recommended that Fuerza Popular update its internal control procedures and implement new measures to ensure proper use and accounting of public funds. the party has yet to issue an official statement addressing the allegations.
Fuerza Popular reportedly carried out five training activities in 2024, totaling S/186,112.34. These included a conference on women in Peruvian politics (S/58,223.90),a virtual program on state procurement and public management (S/84,000),and an event in Austria (S/15,000). however, the California trip remains the most controversial, given its lack of compliance with ONPE regulations.
Key Takeaways from the ONPE Report
| Key Details | Information |
|————————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Amount Misused | S/27,921.53 |
| Activity Labeled | “Training, conference, and academic exchange” |
| Regulations Violated | Articles 20 and 25 of the RFSFP |
| ONPE Recommendations | Update internal control procedures and ensure proper use of public funds |
| Total Training Expenses (2024) | S/186,112.34 |
Broader Implications for Peruvian Politics
This incident raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of political parties in Peru. The misuse of public funds not only undermines public trust but also highlights the need for stricter oversight of electoral financing.
As the ONPE continues its examination, the case could have critically important repercussions for Keiko Fujimori and Fuerza Popular, potentially affecting their standing in future elections.
What’s Next?
The ONPE’s findings underscore the importance of adhering to electoral regulations. for citizens, this serves as a reminder to hold political leaders accountable and demand greater transparency in the use of public resources.
Stay informed about the latest developments in this case by following updates from La República, a trusted source for Peruvian political news.
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This article is based exclusively on information from the original report published by La República. For further details, visit the original article.Fuerza Popular Faces Potential Sanctions Over Unreported Expenses and Questionable Purchases
The political party Fuerza Popular, led by Keiko Fujimori, is under scrutiny after failing to report significant expenses within the legally mandated 15-day period. According to a detailed document from the electoral body, the party spent S/1,384,667.8 in the first half of 2024 on activities such as training, operations, and fixed assets. However, the most controversial aspect of these expenditures involves the purchase of high-end smartphones, raising questions about compliance with state contracting regulations.
Questionable Purchases and lack of Transparency
The report highlights that Fuerza Popular spent S/18,219.90 on three iPhones: two iPhone 13 models (priced at S/2,659 each) and one iPhone 14 (priced at S/4,059). These purchases were made “at finger,” meaning no formal selection process was conducted, as required by state contracting laws. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism from electoral experts and watchdog organizations.
José Villalobos, a specialist in electoral issues, emphasized the gravity of the situation in an interview with La República. ”One of the sanctions is to lose financing, effectively,” he stated. Villalobos explained that the party could face fines ranging from 31 to 100 UIT (Tax Units) and potentially lose direct public funding.
Legal Implications and Potential Sanctions
The violations stem from Article 36, paragraph 7, literal c) of the Political Organizations Law (LOP), which prohibits expenses not permitted by law. Villalobos noted, ”Yes, it is not only for the trip, there are two other points that it considers to be expenses other than those allowed by law, so there would be a violation… considered a very serious offense.”
the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) has flagged these irregularities, and Fuerza Popular now faces the possibility of severe penalties. The party’s failure to report these expenses on time further compounds the issue, as timely reporting is a legal requirement for political organizations.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Total Expenses (H1 2024) | S/1,384,667.8 |
| iPhone Purchases | 2 iPhone 13 (S/2,659 each), 1 iPhone 14 (S/4,059) |
| Total Spent on iPhones | S/18,219.90 |
| Potential Fines | 31 to 100 UIT |
| Legal Violation | Article 36, paragraph 7, literal c) of the LOP |
| Possible Sanction | Loss of direct public financing |
Broader Implications for Political Accountability
This incident underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in political financing. The use of public funds for questionable purchases not only violates legal standards but also erodes public trust. As Villalobos pointed out, the potential loss of direct public financing could substantially impact Fuerza Popular‘s operations and future campaigns.
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A Call for Greater Oversight
The case against Fuerza Popular serves as a reminder of the need for stricter oversight in political spending. As electoral bodies and watchdog organizations continue to monitor such activities, the hope is that these measures will deter future violations and promote greater accountability among political parties.
What are your thoughts on this issue? share your opinions and stay informed by following our coverage on La República.
The query discusses allegations against Fuerza Popular, a Peruvian political party led by Keiko Fujimori, regarding the misuse of public funds and violations of the Financing and Supervision Regulation of Party Funds (RFSFP). Specifically, the party is accused of misreporting a trip to California as a “training activity,” which violated Articles 20 and 25 of the RFSFP. The ONPE (National Office of Electoral Processes) found that the trip lacked participation from party members and involved protocol visits and corporate meetings, rather than legitimate training activities. The ONPE recommended that Fuerza Popular update its internal control procedures to ensure proper use of public funds. The party has yet to issue an official response to thes allegations [1].
Additionally, Fuerza Popular is under scrutiny for unreported expenses, including the purchase of high-end smartphones without following state contracting regulations.These actions raise concerns about transparency and accountability in Peruvian politics, potentially affecting the party’s standing in future elections [2]. For further details, refer to the original sources linked above.
