Based on the initial vote counts, it seemed that the Peruvian presidency would be contested between the Fujimori-aligned right and the ultra-conservative López Aliaga, but as votes from rural and impoverished areas came in, the left-wing candidate entered the race.

The elections will take place on April 12 amid a chronic political crisis. The gap between the frontrunners and the trailing candidates is so narrow that the outcome is unpredictable.

The appointment came after his victory to preside over Congress. He will replace center-right José Jerí, who was in office for just four months, demonstrating, if there were any doubt, the severe crisis of representation that Peruvian politics is experiencing.

Following the coup against Pedro Castillo, the people of Peru took to the streets en masse to demand his restitution and the resignation of Boluarte

Lima has become the epicenter of the protests in Peru, even as protesters face increasingly violent attacks at the hands of the police