INTERNACIONAL
Pro-US conservative faces leftist in Peru’s high-stakes presidential runoff
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Peruvians head to the polls in a pivotal presidential runoff June 7 in an election that could reshape not only the country’s future but also the balance of power across Latin America.
Two candidates are vying to become the country’s ninth president in just 10 years. Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori is campaigning on law and order, free-market policies and closer ties with the United States, while left-wing challenger Roberto Sánchez represents a political movement that many see as a continuation of the leftist currents that have challenged U.S. interests in the region.
José Ignacio Beteta, executive director of Asociación de Contribuyentes, a think tank in Peru, told Fox News Digital, «Peru’s June 7 runoff carries consequences well beyond its borders. When analyzed against the current U.S. National Security Strategy, this election will determine whether Peru consolidates its alignment as a U.S. partner or devolves into deeper geopolitical contention. Peru’s institutional weakness has already allowed China to expand into strategic sectors.»
MEET ‘CHINA’S MAN IN LIMA’ WHO JETTED OVER TO US TO COLLECT TRAINS DONATED BY BIDEN ADMIN
Peru’s presidential candidates Keiko Fujimori (right) for the Fuerza Popular party, and Roberto Sanchez (left) for the Juntos por el Peru party, wave during a debate in Lima on May 31, 2026, ahead of the presidential runoff election on June 7. (Ernesto Benavides/AFP Via Getty Images)
Beteta added, «Meanwhile, the vote is seen as a choice between a return to freer and more competitive economic and security policies with Fujimori and a second attempt at left-wing governance with Sanchez, a binary that mirrors South America’s broader ideological fractures.»
The election follows years of political instability in Peru, a country that has seen multiple presidents removed from office over the past decade and remains deeply divided between urban and rural constituencies.
Sunday’s election’s outcome is expected to be very close, with the possibility of a final result not being known for days, according to the Associated Press.
For Washington, Peru’s election represents more than a domestic political contest. It is another test of the broader political direction of Latin America. Over the past several years, several countries in the region have experienced electoral shifts toward center-right or conservative governments, including Argentina under Javier Milei and Ecuador under Daniel Noboa who are all more friendly to Washington.
A Fujimori victory would reinforce that trend and could position Peru alongside a growing bloc of governments favoring tougher approaches to crime, stronger ties with the United States and market-oriented economic policies.
Peru’s presidential candidate for the Fuerza Popular party, Keiko Fujimori, waves to supporters during her closing campaign rally in Lima on June 4, 2026. Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sanchez will face off in Peru’s presidential runoff on June 7, 2026. (Anthony Nino de Guzman / AFP via Getty Images)
Presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori told Fox News Digital that if she wins, «My government’s foreign policy will be based on a very clear premise: defending Peru’s interests. Specifically, regarding the United States, my government will seek a relationship of cooperation, mutual respect and investment promotion. We welcome the Trump administration’s renewed perspective on Latin America and, especially, on Peru, which occupies a strategic geopolitical position in the region.»
Fujimori continued: «We want to seize this opportunity by generating greater stability, legal certainty, and confidence for investment. Peru must always be a country open to the world, committed to freedom, free competition, and the free market. Our goal is to lay the groundwork so that investors from the United States and around the world find in Peru a reliable, stable, and attractive country in which to invest, produce, and create jobs.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Sánchez’ campaign but did not get a response.
ALLIANCE WITH US ‘DISMANTLED’ BY LEFTIST PETRO REGIME, COLOMBIA’S FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS
Peru’s presidential candidate for the Juntos por el Peru party, Roberto Sanchez, speaks during a campaign rally at the Plaza Tupac Amaru in Cusco, Peru, on June 2, 2026. (Jose Angulo / AFP via Getty Images)
Peruvian analyst and legal expert Lucas Ghersi told Fox News Digital, «Roberto Sánchez represents a rather radical left. His platform includes nationalizations and expropriations, and he is close to Evo Morales and Nicolás Maduro. This election is highly polarizing Peruvian society.»
Ghersi continued, «If Keiko Fujimori wins, she would have a good relationship with the United States. She is a reasonable person who defends the constitutional framework and the rule of law, and she has ties to the United States because she has done academic work at Florida International University (FIU).
«Roberto Sánchez, on the other hand, would create tension in the relationship with the United States. During his campaign and in the presidential debate, he bitterly criticized Peru’s purchase of F-16 jets from the United States. He said that Peru shouldn’t buy from the United States and should instead use that money for health or education. He also has ties to illegal mining and has been accused of drug trafficking. This could create tensions in the relationship with the United States.»
TRUMP LOOMS LARGE AS BIDEN SET TO MEET CHINA’S XI DURING LATIN AMERICA SUMMITS
Supporters of Peru’s presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori, for the Fuerza Popular party, shout slogans outside the Lima Convention Center ahead of her debate with Roberto Sanchez, for the Juntos por el Peru party, in Lima on May 31, 2026. Peru will hold the presidential runoff election on June 7. (Connie France/AFP via Getty Images)
Ghersi concluded, «Peru is a very strategic country and has been the focus of competition between the United States and China. Peru has one of the largest proven copper reserves and is a major gold producer. Therefore, both China and the United States are vying for influence in Peru, and China has been promoting mega-investment projects there, such as a mega-port that is already operational. In response, the United States offered to renovate the Peruvian Navy’s base and invest in large port projects.»
A Fujimori victory would likely be interpreted in Washington as a continuation of the recent trend toward center-right governance in parts of Latin America. Fujimori has campaigned on restoring public security, strengthening economic growth, and maintaining Peru’s market-oriented model. Her supporters argue that these policies could encourage greater foreign investment and closer cooperation with the United States on security and economic issues.
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A Sánchez victory would present a different scenario. Although he has recently moderated portions of his platform, emphasizing respect for private property, free trade agreements and macroeconomic stability, questions remain about how his administration would approach relations with Washington and regional left-wing movements.
The next Peruvian president will help determine whether one of South America’s most important countries moves closer to Washington, or charts a leftward course.
The Associated Press reports that voting is mandatory in Peru for citizens from the ages of 18 to 70, with more than 27 million people registered.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
latin america, south america, national security, china
INTERNACIONAL
NATO’s eastern flank races to rearm as Trump pressure exposes Western Europe’s defense gap
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This is part six of a series examining the challenges confronting the NATO alliance.
As President Donald Trump presses NATO allies to shoulder more of Europe’s defense burden, countries closest to Russia are moving fastest — while some of Western Europe’s biggest economies face growing pressure to catch up.
Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former deputy director for strategy, policy and plans at U.S. European Command, said the shift is already visible across the alliance.
«Europe is clearly stepping up, but they’re stepping up by geographic variation,» Montgomery told Fox News Digital.
«If you ask me who’s doing the most, the Eastern Europeans are clearly.»
RUSSIAN DRONES TEST NATO’S ARTICLE 5 DEFENSE GUARANTEE AHEAD OF FRIDAY SANCTIONS DEADLINE
As President Donald Trump presses NATO allies to shoulder more of Europe’s defense burden, countries closest to Russia are moving fastest. (Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Montgomery pointed to the Baltic states, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria as countries moving aggressively to strengthen deterrence against Russia.
His assessment comes as NATO allies work toward a new defense spending benchmark agreed at the 2025 summit in The Hague, which calls on members to invest 5% of GDP in defense and security-related spending by 2035, including 3.5% for core defense requirements and 1.5% for defense-related infrastructure and security investments.
John Deni, a research professor at the U.S. Army War College, said the trend shouldn’t be surprising.
«Given the threat of Russia, allies in the East are acquiring capabilities more quickly, and they’re spending even more than allies in the West,» Deni told Fox News Digital. «This shouldn’t surprise us because they’re the ones closest to the threat.»
Deni noted that many eastern allies are rapidly purchasing equipment already available on the market rather than waiting years for domestic defense programs to mature.
UK, GERMAN DEFENSE OFFICIALS DEFEND MILITARY BUILDUP UNDER RUSSIAN THREATS
President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte attend the start of a NATO leaders summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025. (Ludovic Marin/Pool via Reuters)
The transformation is visible across NATO’s eastern and northern flanks. Poland has become one of the alliance’s largest military spenders, Romania is increasing defense investments, and Finland and Sweden have added advanced military capabilities to NATO following their accession.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Finland and Sweden Thursday at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, using them as examples of allies strengthening the alliance.
«Sweden and Finland have actually contributed because they brought their own defense industry, their own advanced technology,» Rubio said. «They have been great partners.»
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Ţoiu echoed that message in an interview with Fox News Digital following an emergency U.N. Security Council session convened after a Russian drone strike injured civilians in the Romanian city of Galați.
«We do agree with President Trump on the need to increase budgets,» Ţoiu said.
Ţoiu said Romania raised defense spending to 2% of GDP during Trump’s previous term and plans to allocate «an average of 3.4 percent» next year through military procurement and strategic infrastructure investments.
POLAND SEEKS ANSWERS AFTER PENTAGON SCRAPS PLANNED US ARMORED BRIGADE ROTATION
«Europe is clearly stepping up, but they’re stepping up by geographic variation,» Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery told Fox News Digital. (Omar Sobhani/Reuters)
«We have launched initiatives that are directed at the eastern flank because it is increasingly more clear that that needs to be protected,» she said.
She argued that Romania’s role extends beyond national defense.
«We need better deterrence, better defense capabilities there in order to ensure our responsibility in protecting not just the Romanian border, which is the longest border to the war, but also it is in the same time a European border and the border of the Allied territory,» Ţoiu said.
For frontline states, the urgency is driven by geography as much as politics. Romania shares a border with Ukraine and repeatedly has dealt with Russian drones entering its airspace. Poland has become one of NATO’s top military spenders, while the Baltic states are racing toward defense expenditures approaching 5% of GDP.
Montgomery said the eastern flank’s urgency contrasts sharply with the pace in much of Western Europe.
Among the continent’s five largest economies, and despite a slight decrease in military spending in 2025, the U.K. remains the largest investor relative to GDP, with 2.4%, trailed by Germany (2.3%), Spain (2.1%), France (2%) and Italy (1.9%), according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
WHY NATO’S DEFENSE SPENDING IMBALANCE LASTED FOR DECADES
Oana-Silvia Toiu, Romania’s minister for foreign affairs, speaks during an emergency Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 1, 2026, after a Russian military drone entered Romanian airspace and exploded, injuring civilians. (Lev Radin/Sipa USA)
«The Germans are the one country, I think, with a large economy that is starting to make the right kind of investments.»
Germany, he argued, could become the backbone of Europe’s future defense industrial base.
«Germany developing a large, impressive defense industrial base is good for NATO, it’s good for Western security, and it’s even good for our primes,» Montgomery said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has embraced higher defense spending and backed NATO’s new spending goals, positioning Berlin as a potential hub for Europe’s future defense industrial base as allies seek to reduce long-term dependence on the United States.
But despite rising defense budgets, experts warn Europe remains heavily dependent on American military capabilities.
Barak Seener, a senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, said Europe still relies on the United States for many of the systems required to fight a modern war.
NATO CHIEF WARNS EUROPE CAN’T DEFEND ITSELF WITHOUT US AS TENSIONS RISE OVER GREENLAND
Despite rising defense budgets, experts warn Europe remains heavily dependent on American military capabilities. (Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency via AP, File)
«Europe is heavily dependent on NATO for its strategic airlift and sea lift, its air-to-air refueling, its cyber capabilities, its space assets, its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,» Seener said.
Without those capabilities, he warned, European forces would struggle to maintain situational awareness during a major conflict.
Montgomery said Europe faces three major challenges: expanding military capacity, rebuilding its defense industrial base and developing high-end support capabilities that have long been provided by the United States.
PENTAGON CUTS BRIGADE COMBAT TEAMS IN EUROPE AS TRUMP PRESSURES NATO ON SPENDING
Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery pointed to the Baltic states, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria as countries moving aggressively to strengthen deterrence against Russia. (Kuba Stezycki/Reuters)
«When you are freeloading for 30 years, you create enormous deficits in terms of people, equipment, technology and know-how,» he said.
«The primary forces to defend Europe should be European,» he said. «The United States should provide additional forces that allow maneuver and offensive operations.»
Montgomery also criticized reported Pentagon deliberations over delaying long-range strike deployments to Germany and reconsidering future Tomahawk missile sales, arguing the systems are critical for deterring Russia.
«The goal here is not to fight Russia in the Baltics or in Poland. The idea here is we want to deter Russia from even trying to attack.»
Looking ahead, Montgomery remains optimistic about NATO’s future.
Montgomery predicted Europe will continue increasing defense spending and expanding its defense industrial base, while the alliance benefits from steadier transatlantic relations.
«I think you’ll have a U.S. president that probably doesn’t provoke the Europeans as much. You’ll have Europe that’s investing more,» he said.
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U.S. Army M1 Abrams tanks take part in the Armed Forces Day parade in Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 15, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
He also predicted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte would be remembered for helping hold the alliance together through a period of significant change.
«I think five years from now, NATO will be stronger,» he said. «And I hope we have Ukraine in there.»
nato, ukraine, europe, spending, russia
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras reporta reducción de homicidios en comparación con 2025, asegura ministro de Seguridad
El titular de la Secretaría de Seguridad, Gerzon Velásquez, informó este viernes que Honduras registra una reducción de 40 homicidios en comparación con las estadísticas correspondientes al año 2025, un resultado que atribuyó a las estrategias implementadas por las autoridades para fortalecer la seguridad ciudadana en el país.
El funcionario señaló que, pese a algunos repuntes de violencia registrados durante los últimos meses, las cifras generales reflejan una tendencia a la baja en los índices de homicidios a nivel nacional.
“Fue en marzo que tuvimos un incremento, pero los demás meses tenemos una reducción de homicidios. Queremos reducir los homicidios y crear condiciones de seguridad para que todos tengamos oportunidades”, expresó Velásquez.
No obstante, las autoridades sostienen que las operaciones policiales y militares desplegadas en los últimos meses han permitido debilitar estructuras delictivas y reducir algunos indicadores de violencia.
Velásquez también se refirió al reciente hecho violento registrado en el departamento de Colón, donde una masacre dejó varias víctimas mortales y generó preocupación en distintos sectores de la sociedad hondureña.
El funcionario calificó el crimen como lamentable y aseguró que los cuerpos de seguridad mantienen operativos intensivos para identificar y capturar a los responsables en el menor tiempo posible.
“Estamos trabajando intensamente para dar con los responsables”, manifestó.
En ese sentido, destacó que la seguridad continúa siendo una prioridad no solo para Honduras, sino también para el resto de países de Centroamérica, una región históricamente golpeada por altos índices de violencia y criminalidad.
El ministro reconoció además que una de las principales dificultades que enfrenta actualmente la institución son las limitaciones presupuestarias, las cuales, según explicó, están relacionadas con compromisos financieros heredados de administraciones anteriores.
Pese a ello, aseguró que la Secretaría de Seguridad continúa realizando esfuerzos para fortalecer las capacidades operativas de la Policía Nacional y mejorar la respuesta ante los distintos fenómenos delictivos.
Velásquez indicó que parte de las acciones impulsadas por el Gobierno incluyen la modernización de equipos, el fortalecimiento de unidades especiales y la depuración constante del personal policial.
En relación con el proceso de reestructuración de la extinta Dirección Policial Anti Maras y Pandillas Contra el Crimen Organizado (Dipampco), el funcionario explicó que actualmente se desarrolla una evaluación rigurosa del personal para garantizar que únicamente permanezcan dentro de la institución aquellos agentes que cumplan con los estándares requeridos.
“La Policía Nacional está siempre en un proceso de depuración constante”, apuntó.
Según las autoridades, este proceso busca fortalecer la transparencia, mejorar la confianza ciudadana y optimizar la capacidad de respuesta de los cuerpos policiales frente a la criminalidad organizada.
Aunque las reducciones en homicidios representan un avance importante, Honduras aún enfrenta desafíos significativos relacionados con el crimen organizado, la extorsión y la violencia en sectores urbanos y rurales.
Asimismo, señalan que será fundamental mantener estrategias sostenidas de prevención, investigación y fortalecimiento institucional para consolidar una reducción permanente en los índices delictivos.
El ministro brindó estas declaraciones durante su participación en la XXXVI Carrera Deportiva Policial, una actividad organizada por la Policía Nacional que reunió a miembros de la institución y ciudadanos en una jornada enfocada en promover el deporte, la convivencia y los hábitos saludables.
Durante el evento, las autoridades destacaron la importancia de fortalecer la relación entre la Policía y la ciudadanía como parte de las estrategias de prevención y construcción de confianza social.
La actividad también sirvió para reconocer el trabajo operativo de distintos agentes policiales y promover mensajes orientados a la paz, la integración y la prevención de la violencia en Honduras.
corresponsal:Desde Tegucigalpa, Honduras
INTERNACIONAL
Florida and Texas are battling for new residents. DeSantis thinks he found an advantage
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Florida and Texas have for years attracted Americans feeling high-tax, high-cost states with an absence of personal income tax and business-friendly policies. Now, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is betting that reducing property taxes could become the Sunshine State’s next competitive advantage.
The stakes extend well beyond Florida.
The competition for new residents translates directly to political influence, with population growth affecting everything from congressional representation to Electoral College votes.
TAX-WEARY AMERICANS FLEE BLUE STATES FOR REPUBLICAN-LED SOUTHERN HAVENS
As Americans continue relocating to southern states in search of affordability amid a bubbling economic crisis, the latest proposal in Florida could become a test of whether low-tax states can further widen their advantage over higher-tax rivals.
Supporters argue it would strengthen Florida’s appeal to homeowners, retirees and businesses while giving it a new edge over competitors like fellow red state Texas. Critics counter that any tax savings must eventually be offset through spending cuts, higher fees or alternative revenue sources, making Florida a potential case study in both the promise and the pitfalls of aggressive tax reduction.
The governor is backing a constitutional amendment that would dramatically expand Florida’s homestead exemption, potentially lowering tax bills for millions of homeowners.
Under the proposal, Florida’s existing $50,000 homestead exemption would increase to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. In practice, the exemption reduces the portion of a home’s value that is subject to taxation, lowering the tax bill for qualifying homeowners.
For homeowners, that could translate to meaningful tax savings. For local governments, however, it would mean collecting substantially less revenue from one of their largest funding sources.
That tension between tax relief and government funding is at the heart of the debate.
THE RED STATES RACING AHEAD IN AMERICA’S POWERFUL WEALTH BOOM — AND THE STATES FALLING BEHIND
The proposed constitutional amendment would significantly increase Florida’s homestead property tax exemption beginning in 2027. (John Greim/LightRocket/Getty Images)
State analysts estimate the measure could reduce local government revenue by more than $8.4 billion annually, raising questions about how cities and counties would make up the difference.
Backers say the proposal would provide relief to homeowners at a time when many Floridians are grappling with rising housing costs, insurance premiums and inflation. Critics, however, warn that property taxes help fund many of the local services residents rely on every day.
«While the idea of eliminating the property tax sounds appealing, it’s important to remember the local services those tax dollars provide,» Nicole Fox, a policy analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, told Fox News Digital.
«The quality of a community’s schools and roads, as well as the safety of a community, are important both for quality of life and contributing to the value of one’s home,» she added.
Fox noted that the proposal would eventually eliminate roughly 36% of homestead property taxes and argued that a reduction of that magnitude would likely require some form of replacement revenue.
AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER
«When you are talking about 36% of homestead property taxes eventually being eliminated, there must be a plan for at least some degree of revenue replacement,» Fox said. «Currently that plan is unknown.»
Fox, who recently co-authored a Tax Foundation analysis of the Florida proposal, argued the measure could shift the tax burden onto businesses, renters and property owners who do not qualify for the homestead exemption.
«It would do so through less stable revenue sources that could alter consumer behaviors and negatively impact businesses, as well as shift the burden to those who do not qualify for the homestead exemption,» Fox said.
ONE SOUTHERN CITY YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF IS GROWING FASTER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN AMERICA
Florida’s latest property tax debate comes as the state continues to attract new residents from across the country. (Sven Hoppe/Picture Alliance/Getty Images)
Florida already has «a very competitive tax structure,» Fox added, but warned that «this drastic restructure risks significant uncertainty and economic harm.»
Whether voters ultimately embrace the proposal remains an open question. The constitutional amendment must receive support from at least 60% of voters to take effect.
If approved, supporters argue it could cement Florida’s status as one of the nation’s most attractive destinations for homeowners and businesses, potentially giving it a new advantage over competitors like Texas and South Carolina.
Population shifts, should they continue, could carry hefty political consequences in future elections as faster-growing states gain influence over who is in power in their state houses and Washington. (Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
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If critics are right, however, the proposal could become a test case for whether billions of dollars in property tax relief can be delivered without shifting costs elsewhere.
Either way, the debate unfolding in Florida is being watched closely as states compete for residents, businesses and investment in an increasingly mobile America.
taxes, ron desantis, florida, texas, property, economy, housing
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