Alberto Fujimori served as President of Peru from 1990 to 2000 and was known for his corruption and crimes against humanity under international law . He was head of the Cambio 90 political party , a new right-wing party . Fujimori carried out neo-liberal policies and implemented an austerity policy , known as Fujishock , to eliminate inflation but increase poverty . The failure of the policy led to a military supported autogolpe ( self-coup ) , declaring a state of emergency , dissolving Congress , and calling for a new constitution , in which Fujimori ran unopposed . Fujimori increased the government 's influence over military operations , using it as primary means against the rebel groups . The government implemented an anti-insurgency campaign , including arming villagers and conducting secretive military trials of suspected members of rebel groups . Fujimori was responsible for the Barrios Altos massacre , where six members of the Peruvian armed forces executed 15 people allegedly involved with the Shining Path , including one child , and left five injured . Corruption within the government further developed under Fujimori , as he used the secret police to infiltrate opposing political parties , bribed legislators and electoral officials , censored the media , embezzled and redirected government funds , as well as carrying out human rights abuses , such as illegal arrests and torture
Barrios Altos massacre
Barrios Altos massacre
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Peru)