Peru’s Government Rules Out Pardons for Toledo and Castillo
Peru · Politics Key Facts Aug 3, 2026 President Keiko Fujimori said Alejandro Toledo’s humanitarian pardon request would be evaluated on technical, medical and humanitarian grounds. Aug 8, 2026 Justice Minister Ernesto Álvarez ruled out an immediate pardon for Toledo, saying “No se puede indultar a Toledo”. Same day Álvarez called a pardon for Pedro […] The post Peru’s Government Rules Out…
Peru's government has firmly denied clemency for two ex-presidents currently in prison, Alejandro Toledo and Pedro Castillo. President Keiko Fujimori's administration initially hinted at a humanitarian pardon for Toledo but swiftly denied it and declared a pardon for Castillo "impossible". The mixed signals reveal the political complexities surrounding presidential pardons in Peru.
Toledo, a former president from 2001-2006, is serving a lengthy sentence for corruption linked to the Odebrecht scandal, with an additional 13 years added in 2025 for aggravated money laundering. He suffers from cancer and has been in prison since his extradition from the US. However, the government insists a pardon can only be granted if his illness is verified by medical reports.
Castillo, on the other hand, was convicted for attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, a clear violation of Peru's constitution. His sentence is seen as fair by legal analysts, but the government fears granting him a pardon would appear as capitulation to public pressure. The Fujimori administration's handling of both cases underscores the delicate balance of power and contrasting political climates for Toledo and Castillo.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
