Fujimori autogolpe — 5 April 1992 self-coup and constitutional rupture

Doctrine — stated goals and content

Executive self-coup dissolving Congress and intervening in the judiciary, legitimised ex-post by a Constituent Congress and a new 1993 Constitution. Four doctrinal pillars: (a) 5 April 1992 autogolpe — President Fujimori, backed by Armed Forces joint command, dissolved Congress, suspended the 1979 Constitution, intervened the Supreme Court and Public Ministry, arrested opposition leaders (Alan García fled); justified as necessary to prosecute Sendero Luminoso and MRTA and overcome congressional obstruction of structural adjustment. (b) Sendero counter-terrorism breakthrough — Abimael Guzmán captured 12 September 1992 by GEIN special intelligence unit; DINCOTE operations; military tribunals for terrorism under Decreto Ley 25.475 (1992). (c) CCD Constituent Congress elections (22 November 1992) — Cambio 90-Nueva Mayoría won 44 of 80 seats; OAS-monitored amid boycott by APRA and AP; drafted 1993 Constitution approved 31 October 1993 referendum 52.24% Yes / 47.76% No. (d) Continuation of Boloña stabilisation shock — "Fujishock" of 8 August 1990 had removed subsidies and freed prices under emergency law; CCD period consolidated tariff reduction, SOE privatisation acceleration (CENTROMIN, Electrolima). Stated justification: anti-terrorist and anti-inflation emergency trumping democratic procedure. Left-right: economic right, authoritarian-populist. Popularity: Fujimori elected June 1990 runoff 62.5% vs Vargas Llosa 37.5%; immediately after autogolpe IMASEN polls showed 71-82% support; Guzmán capture boosted support further; international isolation brief — OAS Santiago Commitment 1991 invoked but US/Japan aid quickly resumed after CCD elections. Coherence: trade constitutional order, congressional checks, and judicial-independence for terrorism-victory, macro stabilisation completion, and constitutional re-foundation enabling 1995 re-election.