In Peru's tight presidential race, crime and insecurity have become paramount concerns for voters, overshadowing economic issues. Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, is running on a tough-on-crime platform promising military action against organized crime, while left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez advocates for state expansion and higher public spending.

The country faces nearly 30,000 extortion incidents annually, with bus drivers particularly targeted. Fujimori's campaign emphasizes economic stability and attracting U.S. investment, while Sánchez promises to review mining contracts and increase corporate taxes. With no majority party in Congress and eight presidents in the past decade, analysts predict continued political volatility regardless of the election outcome.

Whether Fujimori wins, or Sánchez wins, we know there will most likely be a lot of instability, says Consuelo, 21, vice-president of the student federation of Peru's Pontifical Catholic University. In reality, it's a pretty hopeless choice.

The country has churned through eight presidents in the last 10 years, with regular presidential impeachments. Last year, Gen Z protests erupted across the country, with young people arguing the state was failing to tackle crime, corruption and inequality.

No party has a majority in Peru's Congress, which has led to this political instability. Many Peruvians are fatigued by this instability. Last year, Gen Z protests erupted, with young people arguing the state was failing to tackle crime, corruption and inequality.

Bus driver Toño's case was one of nearly 30,000 extortion incidents reported in Peru in 2025, many targeting small businesses or transport workers.

They shot me in the legs and abdomen. I was out of work for four months, now I work with fear. Although my wounds are dry, internally I feel pain, he says.

According to an independent observatory of crime and violence, 239 drivers were killed last year.

I've never been so afraid to leave my young children. If I had money, I'd leave the country, he adds.

Fujimori has defined her campaign with an array of tough-on-crime policies, while Sánchez has promised sweeping changes to the state and higher public spending.

Fujimori's supporters pit her free market approach to the economy and pledge to attract more US investment against Sánchez's proposals to review mining contracts, increase some corporate taxes, raise the minimum wage and give the state more control over natural resources – ideas that have unsettled financial markets.

Despite having churned through eight presidents in the last 10 years, Peru's economy has remained relatively stable. It is a major exporter of critical minerals and metals such as copper.

Under-30s make up about a quarter of Peru's electorate, and many who protested feel neither candidate can deliver real change.

To talk about Fujimorism is to talk about authoritarianism, and that is something that for many students represents an enormous fear, says Consuelo, 21, vice-president of the student federation of Peru's Pontifical Catholic University.

She feels deciding between the final two options in Sunday's vote is like choosing the lesser evil.

With no majority party in Congress and two candidates at very different ends of the political spectrum, many analysts think this is still a long way off.

Great polarisation means whoever wins, it's going to be difficult for them to implement their plans, says José Luis Pérez Guadalupe, interior minister from 2015-16 and professor at the Pacific University.

We've had eight presidents in 10 years, 24 justice ministers, 32 interior ministers. That's high volatility.

The election takes place on Sunday, June 28.

* This article was written by BBC journalist Ione Wells and has been adapted for Echosphere News. The original article can be found here.

Featured image: BBC Bus driver Toño photographed from behind standing next to a bus in a large parking area