Overview
- Former Justice Minister Juan José Santiváñez resigned on Oct. 1 to pursue a 2026 bid, stepping down days before a scheduled congressional censure debate and saying he plans to seek a Senate seat without yet naming a party.
- Voices inside Alianza Para el Progreso publicly questioned bringing Santiváñez onto their slate, with party spokesmen Luis Vivanco and Martín Salas labeling his possible inclusion inconvenient and raising concerns about investigations.
- Health Minister César Vásquez said he is evaluating a candidacy for 2026 and did not rule it out, noting he has about a week to decide under the electoral timeline.
- Lima Mayor Rafael López Aliaga said he will announce by Oct. 13 whether he will resign to run for president, aligning his decision with the legal deadline for authorities to step down.
- Lambayeque Governor Jorge Pérez Flores confirmed he will compete with Somos Perú and described precandidacies under internal review, while APP congressional spokesman Eduardo Salhuana asserted that César Acuña will resign before the cutoff to head APP’s ticket.