LIMA, Peru — May 25, 2026 Roberto Sánchez, the presidential candidate for Peru’s Juntos por el Perú (JPP), will face a critical judicial hearing on Wednesday, May 27, where prosecutors will seek to formalize charges of false administrative declarations and financial misconduct tied to alleged mismanagement of party funds. The case—rooted in a 2018 investigation—threatens to overshadow Sánchez’s path to the June 7 runoff election against Keiko Fujimori, leader of Fuerza Popular. With the fiscal office requesting five years and four months of prison, the upcoming hearing will determine whether Sánchez’s legal troubles escalate into a full trial.
Sánchez’s legal predicament hinges on two central accusations: false declarations to public authorities and misrepresentation of financial records linked to Juntos por el Perú’s operations. Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2023, Sánchez—then serving as party leader and congressional representative—diverted funds from JPP’s official accounts to personal or affiliated accounts, though exact figures remain under dispute. The fiscal resolution, disclosed this month, marks the first time prosecutors have publicly outlined their case ahead of the May 27 hearing.
What makes this moment particularly tense is the timing: Sánchez’s legal battle unfolds just 11 days before Peru’s presidential runoff, raising questions about whether the judiciary’s decision could influence voter sentiment. Meanwhile, Sánchez’s campaign has framed the accusations as politically motivated, pointing to a prior archival of fraud charges by the judiciary in 2023—a ruling that prosecutors now appear to be challenging.
Key Allegations: What Prosecutors Will Present
According to the fiscal office’s resolution—confirmed by Sánchez’s legal team—the case rests on three pillars:
- False Declarations to the National Elections Jury (JNE): Prosecutors claim Sánchez submitted inaccurate financial reports between 2018 and 2020, understating JPP’s liabilities while overstating assets. The JNE, Peru’s electoral oversight body, has not publicly commented on whether it initiated the probe or received formal complaints.
- Misuse of Party Funds: The fiscal office alleges that S/ 280,000 (approximately $78,000 USD)—a figure cited by Sánchez’s critics—was transferred from JPP’s accounts to entities not authorized under party statutes. [Note: The exact amount has not been independently verified in primary sources; Sánchez’s campaign has dismissed the figure as inflated.]
- Obfuscation of Financial Trails: Prosecutors accuse Sánchez of using intermediary accounts and shell entities to obscure the origin of funds, a tactic that complicates audits by Peru’s Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria (SUNAT).
What the Judiciary Must Decide: At the May 27 hearing, Judge [Name Redacted for Verification] will evaluate whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Key questions include:
- Did Sánchez knowingly submit false declarations to public authorities?
- Is there direct proof of funds being diverted to personal use, or are the transfers linked to legitimate party operations?
- Does the case meet the threshold for judicial persecution, a concern raised by Sánchez’s defense team?
Sánchez’s Defense: A Case of Political Persecution?
Sánchez’s legal team has framed the accusations as partisan, pointing to the 2023 archival of fraud charges by the judiciary as evidence of a selective prosecution. In a May 12 statement, Sánchez declared:
“Esa investigación empezó el año 2018 y se me acusaba de haberme apropiado de los fondos del partido. ¿Qué ha dicho el Poder Judicial después de cinco o seis años? Archivado. O sea, el fraude como delito en mi caso ha sido archivado.”
Translation: “The investigation began in 2018, accusing me of embezzling party funds. What did the judiciary say after five or six years? It was archived. In other words, the charge of fraud in my case has been dismissed.”
Sánchez’s argument gains weight from Peru’s recent history of political prosecutions, including cases against former President Pedro Castillo and opposition leader Keiko Fujimori. His campaign has also linked the timing of the new charges to his rise in the polls, suggesting prosecutors may seek to disqualify him before the June 7 runoff.
“The real question isn’t whether funds were misused—it’s whether this is a legal process or a political maneuver.” — Sánchez campaign statement, May 2026
What Happens Next: The Road to June 7
The May 27 hearing will determine whether Sánchez’s case advances to a full trial. If the judge approves the prosecution’s request, Sánchez could face:
- Up to 5 years and 4 months in prison for false declarations and financial misconduct.
- Political ineligibility for a period of up to 10 years, which could bar him from holding public office.
- Civil asset forfeiture, though details remain unclear.
Critical Timeline: