La Vía Campesina has reported that Indigenous Peoples and peasant organizations in Peru are mobilizing against what they describe as the threat of a democratic setback. The statement comes as Peru prepares for a presidential runoff, a decisive political moment for communities demanding democracy, rights, representation and protection from exclusion.
Peru’s June 7, 2026 presidential runoff will be contested between conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sánchez. The election follows a disputed and fragmented first round, with concerns over political instability, public distrust and electoral tensions shaping the national debate.
For Indigenous Peoples and peasant movements, democracy is not limited to the ballot box. Their mobilization highlights demands for social justice, land rights, collective participation, food sovereignty and respect for rural and Indigenous communities that have historically faced marginalization in national decision-making.
The mobilization also reflects wider concerns over criminalization of protest and the shrinking space for social movements. La Vía Campesina’s message places Indigenous and peasant organizations at the center of Peru’s democratic future, stressing that communities defending land, life and rights must not be silenced or excluded.
As Peru heads into a close and polarized runoff, the call from Indigenous Peoples and peasants stands as a warning against authoritarianism and a demand for a democratic process rooted in human rights, territorial justice and popular participation.
