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'A trail of pure corruption' - Lima residents express concern about Peru's political future ahead of presidential election

"Locals expressed concern over corruption, distrust of the political class, and doubts about candidates' ability to govern in Lima on Friday, a few days before Peruvians head to the polls to elect their next president. Many citizens pointed out that the history of scandals involving several former presidents continues to affect public trust in institutions. "Unfortunately, our country comes with a trail of pure corruption from the previous presidents, who were validly elected and all of them are serving sentences or in criminal proceedings," stated Walter Patino, describing corruption as one of the main 'scourges' facing Peru. Wilmer Mendoza shared his expectation that the electoral process will proceed without irregularities and that the popular will be respected, questioning the political instability that has characterised the country in recent years, marked by clashes between the Executive and Congress. "What I hope for is transparency, [...] that fraud is not seen and that the people choose, that the people choose the president, because in the end the people choose the president and Congress removes him," he declared. While some citizens claim to have decided their vote, others admit they remain undecided due to a lack of reliable options. "We are undecided, we are undecided. There are no - we don't have serious people who should work," shared Eloy Reyes, who also criticised the lack of preparation and experience on the part of the political class. Peru is thus heading towards a key election amid political uncertainty, with a citizenry demanding greater transparency, institutional stability, and concrete responses to the country's challenges."