Perú Libre Keeps Vladimir Cerrón as 2026 Standard-Bearer After Court Upholds Preventive Detention

Overview

• On December 4, Judge Leodán Cristóbal rejected a defense request to switch preventive detention to appearance, maintaining a 24‑month detention order for alleged money laundering and criminal organization.
• Perú Libre says Cerrón will run his campaign from hiding, with his whereabouts reported as unknown for more than two years.
• The party selected Cerrón as its presidential nominee in internal primaries, with Bertha Rojas and Flavio Cruz named as his running mates.
• Party figures Segundo Montalvo and Kelly Portalatino argue there is no legal impediment to his candidacy and call the case political persecution, while Waldemar Cerrón disputes labeling him a fugitive.
• The Ministerio Público’s case centers on claims that Cerrón headed a network linked to irregular campaign financing.