Original article: Cerimedo, bots y Ojo de Cóndor: Exigen investigar red de desinformación electoral y conteo paralelo en Perú

Calls for Investigation into Electoral Disinformation Network and Parallel Vote Counting in Peru Involve Fernando Cerimedo

The Juntos por el Perú faction has submitted a motion in the Chamber of Deputies to establish an Investigative Commission aimed at uncovering the alleged responsibilities of Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo in suspected public opinion manipulation during the 2026 General Elections, which were narrowly won by Keiko Fujimori.

This initiative seeks to clarify whether the far-right political operator orchestrated a disinformation network, including the use of bots and trolls, and whether he activated a parallel vote count and technological operations intended to influence the official electoral results.

The coalition of leftist groups bases its request on Cerimedo’s migration records, indicating four entries into Peru, with the last coinciding with the presidential handover ceremony of Keiko Fujimori.

Additionally, the motion points to communication exchanges between the consultant and other advisors connected to the current president, such as Carlos Díaz-Rosillo and Damián Valenzuela, suggesting they maintained contact with the Argentine strategist during the electoral process.

The motion also highlights the alleged connection between Cerimedo and the purchase of the web domain ‘Ojo de Cóndor’, a platform that functioned as a parallel count to that reported by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).

According to the document, there is a demand for «clarification regarding its capability to impact public trust in the official results of the official tally». The lawmakers warned that this platform aimed to undermine confidence in the reports issued by the electoral body.

Through this portal, citizens were encouraged to upload voting records to validate the supposed victory of Keiko Fujimori, at a time when polls suggested progressive candidate Roberto Sánchez as the winner.

The proposal is also endorsed by Víctor Piñán, a deputy and spokesperson for the Obras faction. To enter into debate, the motion requires the approval vote of 35% of the Chamber of Deputies, while such motions need 45% of votes to be approved.

Scope of the Investigation

If approved, the commission would have a period of 180 business days, extendable, and the authority to summon mandatory appearances, lift banking secrecy and tax confidentiality, as well as request information from entities such as Migration, the National Jury of Elections (JNE), the ONPE, the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec), and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF). The commission could also request classified reports from the UIF and the Superintendence of Migrations.

Congress members highlighted the need to determine whether there were payments or contracts related to social media management. The parliamentary motion asserts that political campaigns must be conducted with absolute transparency and without the interference of digital disinformation tools. Congress will assess the project once the Executive Board schedules the debate session in the Plenary.

Cerimedo’s Links with Fujimori

Fernando Cerimedo is an Argentine political consultant and digital strategist identified with right-wing and far-right sectors in Latin America. He founded the digital outlet La Derecha Diario and has worked on campaign strategies for political leaders in the region, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Bolivian leader Rodrigo Paz.

Since August 18, he has been detained in Bolivia, facing four charges including attempted femicide against his ex-partner Nadia Beller; money laundering; and domestic violence.

Beller not only accused him of the attack but revealed that Cerimedo confessed to being linked with Keiko Fujimori and other right-wing presidents and candidates in Latin America, employing fake accounts and campaigns to discredit rivals for his clients.

Photographic evidence is compelling in supporting the ties and influence of Cerimedo in Latin America. In fact, an image dated March 22, 2023, in Buenos Aires shows the Argentine consultant with Frank Zimmerman and Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, demonstrating that the “friend” of the Peruvian president knew the operator before Cerimedo’s first arrival in Lima in 2024.

Despite this evidence, Díaz-Rosillo has chosen to downplay any connection. When asked about his relationship with Cerimedo, the director of the Adam Smith center stated: «No, I am not his friend. Do I know Fernando Cerimedo? Of course I know (Cerimedo), but I have no close relationship with him. Neither personally, commercially, nor academically». However, sources close to La República have revealed that Díaz-Rosillo himself has privately admitted to friends having “coincided three or four times with Cerimedo,” a confession that contrasts with his public attempt to distance himself.

A photograph obtained by the Investigative Unit of the cited media, taken during the Hispanic Prosperity Gala held on February 10, revealed Keiko Fujimori surrounded by Damián Valenzuela—a friend of Díaz-Rosillo—, Andrés “Andy” Rivas—a partner of Cerimedo and representative of the Adam Smith Center in Uruguay—and the consultant conversing with the then-presidential candidate from Peru. This image undermines any attempt to deny the closeness among all the actors involved in this regional network.

During this event, the political operator was honored and publicly thanked Brad Parscale, campaign director for Donald Trump, for trusting him and providing technology and teams.

Parliamentary factions will define in the coming days whether they provide the necessary support for the establishment of the working group. The parliamentary initiative seeks to clarify alleged unlawful acts linked to the elections and review Cerimedo’s communications with advisors Díaz-Rosillo and Valenzuela during the process.