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World
Peru: Former President Toledo, 81, Seeks Presidential Pardon on Health Grounds
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
Alejandro Toledo, 81, an economist and former president of Peru (2001–2006), filed a petition for a presidential pardon on humanitarian grounds on July 14, 2026. The petition is addressed to José María Balcázar, Peru's head of state since February 18, 2026, and to the Presidential Pardon Commission (Comisión de Gracias Presidenciales). Through his lawyer Carlos Torres Caro, Toledo argues that his health has deteriorated significantly during his detention and that legal proceedings against him have exceeded reasonable time limits. Toledo claims he is at risk of heart attack or stroke and seeks to spend "his final days in dignity."
- Toledo, 81, filed a humanitarian presidential pardon petition on July 14, 2026.
- His lawyer invokes serious health deterioration and risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Legal proceedings are said to have exceeded reasonable time limits under law.
- Toledo lacks final judgment in some of the cases against him.
- His lawyer urges the executive to rule quickly on the petition.
What We Know
Alejandro Toledo, an economist and former president of Peru (2001–2006), filed a petition for a presidential pardon on humanitarian grounds on July 14, 2026. The petition is addressed to José María Balcázar — Peru's head of state since February 18, 2026 — and to the Presidential Pardon Commission (Comisión de Gracias Presidenciales), a constitutional body tasked with reviewing such requests and formulating recommendations to the executive.
Through his lawyer Carlos Torres Caro, the former head of state argues on two grounds: significant health deterioration during his detention, and legal proceedings that have exceeded the reasonable time limits set by law.
The defense invokes the right to pardon enshrined in Peru's Constitution and emphasizes that Toledo does not yet have a final judgment in some of the proceedings against him.
In a statement attached to the petition, Toledo states he is at risk of heart attack or stroke.
his final days in dignity
— Alejandro Toledo, in a statement attached to the pardon petition, July 14, 2026
Carlos Torres Caro has also urged Peru's executive to rule swiftly on the petition.
Context
Alejandro Toledo is a Peruvian economist and politician who served as president of Peru from July 28, 2001, to July 28, 2006, after winning the 2001 presidential election by defeating Alan García in the second round.
Presidential pardon is provided for under Article 118 of Peru's Constitution. The president of the republic alone has authority to grant it; the Presidential Pardon Commission reviews cases on humanitarian grounds — health, age, or procedural delays — and formulates a recommendation without having independent decision-making power.
What Remains Uncertain
Neither the timeline for reviewing the petition nor President Balcázar's position are known at this stage. The precise nature of the ongoing legal proceedings and the charges against Toledo are not available in the information currently available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a presidential pardon in Peru?
It is a right enshrined in Peru's Constitution (Article 118). The Presidential Pardon Commission reviews requests on humanitarian grounds — health, age, procedural delays — and formulates a recommendation. The president of the republic alone has authority to grant it.
Why does Toledo invoke humanitarian grounds?
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