Napoleón Becerra García, a candidate in Peru’s upcoming presidential election, died Sunday, March 15, 2026, in a car accident while traveling to a campaign event in the Ayacucho region, authorities confirmed. Becerra, 61, was the founder of the Partido de los Trabajadores y Emprendedores (PTE – Peru) and was among over 30 candidates vying for the presidency in the April elections, according to reports from Peru21 and La Republica.
The accident occurred on the road connecting Lima and Ayacucho, with the vehicle reportedly overturning near the city of Ayacucho. Becerra was transported to a local health post but succumbed to his injuries, RPP Noticias reported. Three other individuals in the vehicle were injured and are receiving medical attention.
Becerra’s death prompted condolences from the Jurado Nacional de Elecciones (National Elections Jury), Peru’s electoral body, and from within his political party. Emily Silva, a PTE candidate for deputy, expressed the organization’s grief and extended sympathies to the candidate’s family, as reported by El Comercio.
A Career in Public Service
Born on April 11, 1964, in the Cajamarca region of northern Peru, Napoleón Becerra dedicated much of his professional life to public service. He held a degree in Administrative Sciences from the Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and obtained a license in Administration in 2009, according to Noticias R7. For over four decades, from 1984 to 2025, Becerra worked within the Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima (Metropolitan Municipality of Lima), holding administrative and technical positions.
Prior to founding the PTE, Becerra was affiliated with other Peruvian political parties, including Juntos por el Perú, which he left in 2017, and Fuerza Democrática, which he departed in 2006. His most recent financial disclosure to the Jurado Nacional de Elecciones indicated an annual income of approximately 72,000 soles (roughly $20,000 USD as of March 16, 2026) and assets valued at around 20,000 soles (approximately $5,600 USD), Noticias R7 reported.
Impact on the Presidential Race
While Becerra was a registered candidate for the presidency and also running for a Senate seat, recent polls indicated he held a small percentage of voter support. The circumstances surrounding his death raise questions about the future of the PTE’s campaign and potential impacts on the overall electoral landscape. The National Elections Jury has not yet announced whether the PTE will nominate a replacement candidate.
The accident occurred as Peru prepares for elections scheduled for April. The country is navigating a period of political instability, and the loss of a candidate, even one with limited polling numbers, adds another layer of complexity to the electoral process. The focus now shifts to how the PTE will respond and whether Becerra’s supporters will coalesce around another candidate.
The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. Authorities have not released details regarding potential contributing factors. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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