Peruvian far-right presidential candidate Rafael López Aliaga called for 'civil insurgency' on Tuesday, claiming the country's recent elections were marred by fraud.
Speaking to hundreds of supporters gathered in front of the National Jury of Elections (JNE), the Renovación Popular leader announced he would not recognize any official results.
López Aliermaga, a former mayor of Lima, told the crowd he would refuse to acknowledge the outcome even if he secures a spot in the second round of voting, according to reports from biobiochile.cl.
Without providing specific evidence, the businessman alleged that delays in the delivery of electoral materials at several Lima polling stations cost him approximately 500,000 votes.
He demanded that the Prosecutor's Office and the National Police immediately arrest Piero Corvetto, the head of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).
López Aliaga also called for the removal of international observation missions, including the European Union and the Organization of American States (OAS), from Peru. These organizations had previously validated the integrity of the voting process despite acknowledging logistical issues with material distribution.
Rivals denounce calls to violence
López Aliaga, an admirer of Donald Trump, urged his followers to engage in 'civil insurgency' and to 'set the prairie on fire' once official results are released.
Other candidates in the race for the second round against Keiko Fujimori have condemned the rhetoric. Jorge Nieto, representing the Partido del Buen Gobierno, demanded that any allegations of fraud be proven.
“Whoever has accusations of fraud, let them prove it, and if not, let them shut their mouth in seven languages,” Nieto said, according to biobiochile.cl. He added that such claims create chaos and uncertainty in Peru.
Roberto Sánchez, the leftist candidate from Juntos por Perú, also rejected the claims of fraud. Sánchez, an ally of former president Pedro Castillo, noted that his movement is being targeted with fear-based rhetoric.
“The vote of the Peruvian heartland will be respected,” Sánchez said, calling López Aliaga's statements 'absolutely irresponsible.'
As of the latest count, which includes 82% of the scrutiny, López Aliaga leads with 12.34% of valid votes. He is followed by Nieto with 11.49% and Sánchez with 11%.
Recent data from rural areas shows Sánchez closing the gap rapidly. The leftist candidate is currently challenging López Aliaga's lead in what remains a highly competitive race.
