Alberto Fujimori, who had been in office since 1990, faced intense scrutiny as allegations of corruption and human rights abuses mounted against his government. The immediate catalyst for his downfall was a corruption scandal involving his advisor Vladimiro Montesinos, whose activities were exposed in a videotape showing him bribing opposition politicians. This revelation ignited mass protests throughout Peru and called into question the legitimacy of Fujimori's presidency.

On November 17, 2000, while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Brunei, Fujimori announced that he would resign from the presidency of Peru via a faxed message. His decision was seen as an attempt to escape mounting pressure at home, with Peruvian citizens calling for his ousting. As news broke, thousands took to the streets to celebrate his removal, culminating a year of escalating public outcry and political turmoil.

Fujimori's departure led to a period of political transition in Peru, with Valentin Paniagua being appointed as interim president. This transition aimed to stabilize the country and lay the groundwork for new elections, ultimately leading to a restored democratic framework. The events surrounding Fujimori's resignation sparked a re-evaluation of governance practices and human rights in Peru, significantly impacting the nation’s political landscape.