Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, said Rafael Lopez Aliaga is leading polls in Lima with strong approval for his handling of safety and infrastructure, positioning him to address Peru’s political instability by promoting economic growth and U.S. partnerships over Chinese influence.
The upcoming presidential election in Peru comes amid a period of political turmoil marked by frequent impeachments and leadership changes. According to Time Magazine, Peru’s Congress ousted interim President Jose Jeri in a 75-24 vote after four months in office for failing to disclose meetings with Chinese businessmen under scrutiny. This marks the second impeachment in less than six months and the sixth premature presidential exit in a decade, fueling voter demands for stability ahead of April elections. Bloomberg reports that prior leaders like Pedro Castillo faced arrest, perpetuating Lima’s power chaos. (source)
“Peru’s Aliaga will bring stability, growth, and an alliance with the United States… Citizens clamor for order and a better trajectory. Those aspirations point to Rafael Lopez Aliaga as the man of the hour who can save his country from this dismal cycle and elevate the prosperity of regular Peruvians… Aliaga can also act as a trusted partner with the United States rather than repeating the pattern of supplication to the Chinese Community Party. Aliaga has been clear and consistent in seeking a closer Peruvian relationship with America rather than China… With the steady hand of Aliaga directing the affairs of state, a calmer, more predictable, more prosperous future starts to unfold,” according to Steve Cortes on X.
Cortes addressed the issue on X by sharing his article on RealClearWorld, outlining Peru’s recent impeachments of presidents like Jose Jeri and Dina Boluarte amid corruption scandals. He positions Aliaga as a businessman outsider who stood against foreign toll abuses in Lima, welcoming transparent investment while prioritizing U.S. relations. This endorsement aligns with regional trends toward patriotic populism in Latin America. (source)
As said by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the China-owned Chancay Port in Peru is projected to handle 3.5 million TEUs, becoming Latin America’s third-largest and the biggest fully controlled by a PRC state enterprise. This expansion rewires hemispheric trade through Chinese channels, with 6.5 million TEUs passing PRC-operated terminals in top regional ports in 2023. The Diplomat notes that Peru’s crisis illustrates potential military uses of the port against U.S. interests, heightening strategic risks. (source)
Reported by Americas Quarterly, the 2026 elections in Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil will test a rightward shift across Latin America, following conservative wins in Argentina’s midterms and the end of socialist rule in Bolivia. Foreign Affairs notes that surveys show Latin Americans identifying as right-wing at the highest levels in more than two decades due to concerns about insecurity and economic stagnation. The Atlantic Council reports that voters are favoring candidates with strong security and market-friendly platforms. (source)
