Peru President Impeached: Jose Jeri Removed After Corruption Allegations
- Just four months into his term, Peru’s President José Jerí has been removed from office following a vote of censure by the Peruvian Congress on February 17, 2026.
- The congressional vote, with 75 in favor, 24 against, and three abstentions, came after weeks of debate surrounding allegations of corruption and influence peddling leveled against Jerí.
- Jeri’s ascent to the presidency in October 2025 was itself a consequence of political upheaval.
Just four months into his term, Peru’s President José Jerí has been removed from office following a vote of censure by the Peruvian Congress on . The move triggers a fresh period of political instability in a country already grappling with a turbulent recent history of leadership changes.
The congressional vote, with 75 in favor, 24 against, and three abstentions, came after weeks of debate surrounding allegations of corruption and influence peddling leveled against Jerí. He is the seventh president to be ousted or removed from office in Peru in the last decade, highlighting a deep-seated pattern of political crisis within the nation.
Jeri’s ascent to the presidency in was itself a consequence of political upheaval. He assumed the role after his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, was impeached on grounds of “moral incapacity.” Boluarte had previously replaced Pedro Castillo, who was impeached and arrested in after attempting to dissolve Congress.
The immediate catalyst for Jerí’s removal centered around a series of clandestine meetings with Zhihua Yang, a Chinese businessman with significant interests in Peru. These meetings, dubbed “Chifagate” by Peruvian media – a reference to the popular Peruvian-Chinese fusion cuisine – raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and illicit influence. Video footage emerged showing Jerí attending a late-night meeting with Yang at the businessman’s Lima restaurant, not listed on the official presidential agenda, and appearing in disguise, wearing a hoodie that partially obscured his face.
Further scrutiny revealed additional visits by Jerí to Yang’s businesses, including a wholesale store, where he was photographed wearing sunglasses. Jerí consistently denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the meetings as informal gatherings related to a planned Peruvian-Chinese friendship day or as simple shopping trips for food and candy. However, these explanations failed to satisfy lawmakers and fueled public skepticism.
Yang’s connections to the previous administration under Boluarte also came under scrutiny. He had received a concession to build a hydroelectric plant during her tenure, a project that has faced delays and questions regarding its transparency. Reports surfaced linking Yang to another Chinese businessman, Jiwu Xiaodong, who was subsequently placed under house arrest for alleged illegal activities.
During the congressional debate, Jerí also faced questioning regarding late-night meetings with women who subsequently secured government contracts, as well as accusations of sexual assault dating back to . He had been the subject of seven motions of censure during his brief presidency.
The removal of Jerí leaves Peru facing a period of uncertainty as the country prepares for general elections on . A new interim president is expected to be chosen by Congress on , with legislative voting scheduled for around 6:00 PM local time (23:00 GMT).
The upcoming elections are expected to be highly competitive, with at least 36 candidates vying for the presidency. Observers express concern that the next leader may face similar challenges and potential impeachment proceedings, given the frequent use of the broadly defined “moral incapacity” clause as grounds for removing presidents from office.
Jeri’s impeachment follows recent legal developments involving other former Peruvian presidents. In , Martin Vizcarra, who served from 2018 to 2020, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of accepting bribes related to government contracts. Similarly, in , Pedro Castillo received an 11-year and five-month sentence for charges of rebellion and conspiracy against the state, stemming from his attempt to dissolve Congress in 2022.
Peruvian prosecutors have indicated that investigations into allegations of corruption against Jerí will continue following his removal from office. The ongoing political turmoil underscores the fragility of Peru’s democratic institutions and the persistent challenges facing the nation as it seeks to establish stable and accountable governance.