Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori’s links to Argentine businessman Damián Valenzuela Mayer faced intense scrutiny after Agrarian Development and Irrigation Minister Marco Vinelli confirmed the magnate’s participation in the Fuerza Popular presidential campaign, according to interviews and weekly investigative reports published in late August.
Minister Vinelli Confirms Campaign Ties
During an interview with RPP, Minister Marco Vinelli confirmed that he met Damián Valenzuela Mayer “in the process of the campaign.” Vinelli stated that the Argentine businessman frequently conversed with the head of state during her electoral bid, though the minister declined to label him an official advisor. Vinelli acknowledged seeing Valenzuela Mayer present at the Hemiciclo during the July 28 swearing-in ceremonies, noting that the visitor was among the invited guests.
When questioned regarding the businessman’s potential influence over the president, Vinelli admitted he could not measure the extent of that relationship. “I haven’t spoken with him since July 28,” Vinelli told RPP, adding that he leaves it to Valenzuela Mayer to publicly address judicial inquiries regarding past financial disputes in foreign jurisdictions. Despite those questions, the minister emphasized that he feels no concern over the administration’s proximity to the 51-year-old executive.
Weekly Revelations Detail Spa Visits and Judicial Background
The controversy intensified following an investigative report published on August 21 by the weekly publication Hildebrandt en sus Trece (H13). According to the magazine, President Fujimori and Valenzuela Mayer visited the Tomyko spa in Santa Catalina on four separate occasions, including an outing on July 11 after the JNE proclaimed Fujimori as president. Witnesses noted the pair utilized a S/580 package for two that included facials, massages, sauna sessions, champagne, and chocolates.
Flight and entry records cited by H13 indicate that Valenzuela Mayer has traveled to Lima 11 times since October 2025. During public appearances, the president reportedly addresses him as “Gerardo.” H13 also detailed that the businessman serves as CEO of Latin America Invest—a firm established in Peru in 2011 with a capital of S/1,000—and uses the moniker “creator of riches.” Court records from the United States and the Central Bank of Uruguay point to past legal actions against his enterprises, including a Florida court order requiring Latin America Invest and Valenzuela Mayer to pay US$5 million to Chily Star Corp on April 28, 2025, and the 2024 dissolution of his financial advisory firm Banfisol SA by Uruguay’s central bank over alleged false reporting. Conversely, Health Minister Luis Dyer stated he received a letter from the businessman denying any active judicial convictions.
Did You Know? According to investigative reports, President Keiko Fujimori and Damián Valenzuela Mayer utilized the service entrance of the Tomyko spa at 3:10 p.m. to access a private second-floor area reserved exclusively for special clients.
President Fujimori Responds via TikTok Broadcast
Confronted with the public reporting, President Keiko Fujimori addressed the visits and her campaign team directly through a live broadcast on TikTok. The president confirmed that she visited the Tomiko hair salon on July 11 prior to taking office, while defending the contributions of foreign supporters. “I want to confirm that on July 11, effectively, before I assumed the presidency, I went to the Tomiko hair salon,” Fujimori stated.
Fujimori categorized Valenzuela Mayer alongside two other foreign acquaintances identified only as “Mr. Carlos” and “Mr. Román” as individuals who offered disinterested assistance during her campaign. Furthermore, the president clarified that the vehicle used during her transition period was provided by Fuerza Popular rather than state coffers, and that her transitional office incurred no expenses for the national treasury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Damián Valenzuela Mayer?
He is a 51-year-old Argentine attorney and the CEO of Latin America Invest who participated in Fuerza Popular’s presidential campaign and maintained personal contact with Keiko Fujimori.
What did Minister Marco Vinelli state about the businessman?
Vinelli confirmed meeting Valenzuela Mayer during the campaign and noted that the businessman frequently conversed with Fujimori, though Vinelli stopped short of confirming whether Valenzuela Mayer served as a formal advisor.
What did President Fujimori say regarding her visits to the spa?
During a TikTok broadcast, Fujimori verified that she visited the Tomiko hair salon on July 11 before assuming the presidency, grouping Valenzuela Mayer with other foreign friends who volunteered their support during the campaign.