A Peruvian presidential candidate died on Sunday in a car accident on a remote Andean highway while traveling to a political rally, casting another shadow over a nation desperate for its upcoming elections to end years of relentless political turmoil.
Napoleón Becerra, 61, was killed when his vehicle went off the road in the rural district of Pilpichaca, 430 kilometers southeast of Lima. The leftist candidate for the Workers and Entrepreneurs Party of Peru was headed to the city of Ayacucho for campaign activities ahead of the April 12 election when tragedy struck.
Three passengers traveling with Becerra were injured in the crash. Among the wounded were Senate candidate Segundo Alberto Pizango and deputy candidate Monica Huayllane, according to party officials.
Emely Silva, the party’s candidate for deputy from Lima, confirmed the devastating news after receiving word from fellow members who were accompanying the presidential candidate during his campaign tour. “We were informed a few minutes ago about the accident by fellow party members who are in the area,” Silva told RPP. “They have notified us that our President has died.”
The accident occurred on a treacherous stretch of the Vía Los Libertadores highway near Rumichaca. Five people total were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, including the driver.
Mayor Balvín Huamaní told The Associated Press that the vehicle went off the road in the remote district. Party representatives immediately requested support from authorities to evacuate the wounded and provide medical care, as well as to transfer Becerra’s body to Huamanga, the capital of the Ayacucho region.
Winston Clemente Huaman, the party’s first vice-presidential candidate, received the news while carrying out campaign activities in the Loreto region. He urgently called for government assistance to help the injured survivors. “There are also other injured people; we are extremely concerned,” Huaman said. “We call for assistance so they can be evacuated to Lima as soon as possible.”
Becerra was one of 36 people running for president in next month’s election, though a recent poll showed him with less than 1% of voting intentions. Born in Cajamarca on April 11, 1964, he spent more than four decades in public service, working at the Municipality of Lima from 1984 until 2025. He founded and led PTE-Peru since 2023, positioning the party as a voice for workers and entrepreneurs.
The tragedy comes at a critical moment for Peru, a nation exhausted by political instability. José María Balcázar, an 83-year-old former judge, became Peru’s interim President on February 18 after Congress voted 75-24 to remove his predecessor José Jerí. Jerí had served just four months before being ousted in the “Chifagate” scandal, which involved undisclosed late-night meetings with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang.
The revolving door of leadership has become a defining feature of Peruvian politics. The Andean nation has seen nine presidents in a decade, with many predecessors impeached, forced to resign, or removed amid corruption scandals. Dina Boluarte, who preceded Jerí, was unanimously removed by Congress in October 2025 amid a crime wave and growing public anger. Before her, Pedro Castillo was ousted in 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress—he is now serving an 11-year prison sentence.
Becerra’s death deals a direct blow to PTE-Peru’s electoral prospects. Under Peruvian electoral law, the death of a presidential candidate causes the entire presidential ticket to be disqualified. The party can no longer compete for the presidency or vice presidencies, though its Senate and Chamber of Deputies candidates remain in the race.
The fatal accident highlights the dangerous conditions candidates face while campaigning in Peru’s mountainous terrain. The Andean highway system, while connecting remote communities to larger cities, features treacherous stretches where accidents are common. The Vía Los Libertadores winds through high-altitude mountain passes and narrow roads carved into steep hillsides, challenging even experienced drivers.
Becerra had been actively campaigning throughout Peru’s interior regions in the weeks leading up to the accident. Just days earlier, he appeared at the Gamarra commercial district in Lima, leading a political event alongside his Senate and deputy candidates. His campaign focused on reaching voters in areas often overlooked by mainstream politicians.
The injured party members remain a priority for PTE-Peru leadership, who continue to request government support for their medical treatment and evacuation to Lima for more comprehensive care. Two of the injured are reported to be in serious condition.
Peru’s crowded presidential field of 36 candidates reflects the fractured nature of the country’s political system. Conservative businessman Rafael López Aliaga currently leads most polls, with Keiko Fujimori—daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori—running second. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote on April 12, a runoff will be held on June 7.
The loss of Becerra adds another chapter to Peru’s troubled political narrative. For a country where nearly half of voters remain undecided or plan to cancel their ballots, his death is a stark reminder of the personal sacrifices made by those seeking to lead the nation through its ongoing crisis.
