At 80 years ancient, Ricardo Belmont Cassinelli is framing his current bid for the presidency as his “last battle.” The veteran communicator and former mayor of Lima has pivoted his strategy toward a digital-first approach, utilizing a combination of nightly Facebook broadcasts and a viral TikTok presence to reconnect with a Peruvian electorate that has seen him cycle through various political iterations over the decades.
This resurgence, but, is not merely a matter of digital savvy. The historia política de Ricardo Belmont is a complex tapestry of anti-establishment rhetoric, abrupt ideological shifts, and enduring ties to some of the most polarizing figures in Peruvian politics. Whereas his social media reach is expanding, critics point to a stark disconnect between his viral popularity and the substance of his policy proposals.
Belmont’s current campaign relies heavily on the visibility of his 18-year-old daughter, Kris Belmont, whose TikTok account has become a strategic bridge to younger voters. By sharing behind-the-scenes footage and simplified versions of her father’s platform, she has garnered millions of views, effectively humanizing a candidate whose political legacy is often viewed through the lens of past controversies.
(Foto: InffoGob del JNE)
A plan of government under scrutiny
Despite the digital momentum, the actual roadmap for his candidacy—the plan de gobierno of his party, Obras—has come under fire for its lack of depth. The 27-page document dedicates less than half a page to organized crime, an issue currently dominating the national conversation in Peru. While Belmont proposes a restructuring of the National Police and the justice system, the plan offers few specifics on implementation.
the document is silent on the Reinfo mechanism, a regulatory tool that has been widely criticized for allowing illegal and informal mining to persist. Instead of detailed policy, Belmont has leaned into anecdotal storytelling during debates, suggesting he would adopt a communication style similar to former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). He intends to launch daily press conferences titled “Habla el Pueblo,” mirroring AMLO’s “Mañaneras.”
This admiration for AMLO extends beyond communication style. In May 2023, Belmont attended one of AMLO’s conferences to praise his administration, suggesting that the Mexican leader had fundamentally changed the history of politics and journalism in the 21st century.
The paradox of alliances: From Castillo to Cerrón
Belmont’s political trajectory is marked by sudden reversals, particularly regarding former President Pedro Castillo. In late 2021, Belmont shifted from being a fierce critic—predicting that Castillo would complete up “imprisoned” or “rich and fled from the country”—to expressing a willingness to serve as a presidential advisor.
Mi agradecimiento a Ricardo Belmont por sumarse al equipo del #GobiernoDelBicentenario. Su experiencia profesional y política estará al servicio del Perú, asumiendo la asesoría del Despacho Presidencial. Lograremos un buen trabajo, pensando siempre en el desarrollo del país. pic.twitter.com/ZGoBNWM11m
— Pedro Castillo Terrones (@PedroCastilloTe) October 18, 2021
Although the appointment was never formalized, Belmont has recently stated that, if elected, he would grant a pardon to Castillo, arguing that the former president was denied a proper political trial. This alignment is further evidenced by his current ticket, which includes Daniel Barragán Coloma—the former Defense Minister under Castillo—as the first vice-presidential candidate.
Beyond Castillo, Belmont has maintained a long-standing friendship with Vladimir Cerrón, the leader of Perú Libre and former regional governor of Junín. Having run for the Lima mayoralty under the party’s previous iteration, Perú Libertario, Belmont has consistently defended Cerrón, who remains a fugitive from justice. Even from hiding, Cerrón has praised Belmont as a “gentleman” and a practitioner of “political pedagogy.”
Gran amigo, consejero, analítico y sobre todo sincero. Una visita a la casa del Hermanón Ricardo Belmont. Agradecido por los buenos consejos. pic.twitter.com/JOOPh0uCpD
— Vladimir Cerrón (@VLADIMIR_CERRON) July 2, 2021
Rhetoric and controversy
Belmont’s public discourse has frequently crossed into territory that human rights advocates and government agencies have labeled as exclusionary. During a previous mayoral campaign, he claimed that over one million Venezuelans would illegally vote in the elections—a claim debunked by the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec), which confirmed that only a handful of foreigners were eligible to vote.
His rhetoric has also targeted the LGBTQ+ community. In interviews, Belmont has described homosexuality as “contra natura” (against nature), claiming that “the love for the rectum is against nature” and asserting that science supports this view. Similar patterns of speech have led to reprimands from the Ministry of Women, which rejected sexist and machista comments he made during public rallies.
The candidate’s history with public health was equally contentious during the pandemic. In 2020, Belmont questioned the existence of COVID-19, promoted the defiance of sanitary restrictions by encouraging followers to visit beaches without masks, and claimed that vaccines could cause sterility or alter human DNA. Despite these public stances, he later admitted to receiving the vaccine solely to facilitate a trip to Madrid to visit his brother.
A legacy of financial and administrative disputes
The historia política de Ricardo Belmont cannot be separated from the collapse of his television venture, RBC. Thousands of citizens invested in the channel’s foundation, but many never recovered their capital or saw any returns. Belmont has defended himself by claiming that the company was persecuted by the government of Alberto Fujimori, though he acknowledges the matter never reached a final judicial resolution.
Similarly, his tenure as Mayor of Lima remains a point of contention. While he is remembered by some for his charisma, he is criticized for the proliferation of street vendors in the Mercado Central and Mesa Redonda areas. Belmont has consistently deflected this responsibility, blaming central government laws from the Fujimori era for hindering his ability to clear the streets.
(Foto: Archivo Histórico de El Comercio)
As Peru moves toward the 2026 elections, Belmont’s candidacy serves as a litmus test for the power of social media to revive dormant political careers. His ability to blend nostalgia for his “Hermanón” persona with modern algorithmic reach continues to attract a segment of the population disillusioned with the traditional political class.
The next critical phase for the Obras party will be the formal verification of candidate lists and the upcoming series of official debates, where Belmont’s vague security proposals are expected to face rigorous questioning from opponents and analysts alike.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the role of social media in modern political campaigns in the comments section below.
