Lima, Peru – – Peru’s Congress has voted to remove President José Jerí from office, continuing a period of intense political instability in the South American nation. The impeachment comes just four months after Jerí assumed the presidency, following the removal of Dina Boluarte.
The vote took place today, , amidst ongoing corruption allegations against Jerí. Details of the specific charges leading to the impeachment were not immediately available, but the move underscores a pattern of presidential turnover in Peru. According to reports, protests erupted in Lima as lawmakers debated Jerí’s removal, with demonstrators carrying signs accusing him of betrayal and other offenses.
Jerí’s ascent to the presidency followed the unanimous impeachment of Dina Boluarte in October 2025. Boluarte was removed from office on grounds of “permanent moral incapacity,” a constitutional mechanism that has become increasingly common in Peruvian politics. She, in turn, had replaced Pedro Castillo after his own impeachment in December 2022 for attempting a self-coup. This latest removal marks the fifth time a Peruvian president has been ousted via impeachment or similar mechanisms since 1914.
The frequency of these political upheavals highlights a deep-seated crisis of governance in Peru. Boluarte’s presidency was characterized by historic unpopularity, with approval ratings plummeting to as low as 2% in early 2025. This unpopularity stemmed from allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and a perceived failure to address the country’s pressing social and economic challenges. While previous attempts to remove Boluarte had failed, a broad coalition of political forces ultimately coalesced around the call for her impeachment, driven in part by a surge in violent crime, including an incident at the Círculo Militar de Chorrillos.
The current situation reflects a broader trend of political fragmentation and instability in Peru. The country has seen eight presidents in the last decade, with many leaving office before completing their terms. This constant churn has eroded public trust in institutions and hampered efforts to address long-standing problems such as poverty, inequality, and corruption.
The impeachment of Jerí was preceded by a period of growing scandal during his short tenure, including a controversy referred to locally as “chifagate.” This involved reports of late-night meetings between Jerí and Zhihua Yang, a Chinese businessman who had recently received government approval for a hydroelectric plant project. The nature of these meetings and any potential conflicts of interest remain under scrutiny.
The transition of power following Jerí’s removal will see José Jerí – the president of Congress at the time of the vote – sworn in as the new interim president. This raises questions about the potential for further political maneuvering and the ability of the new administration to address the challenges facing the country.
The implications of this latest political crisis extend beyond Peru’s borders. The country is a significant player in the regional economy, and its instability could have ripple effects throughout South America. The ongoing political turmoil also raises concerns about the rule of law and the strength of democratic institutions in the region.
Peru’s constitutional framework allows for the removal of a president for “permanent moral incapacity” under Article 113. However, the interpretation of this clause has been subject to debate, with critics arguing that it is often used as a political tool to oust leaders without sufficient legal justification. The repeated use of this mechanism raises questions about the long-term health of Peru’s democracy.
The decision by Jerí to not appear before Congress, citing alleged violations of due process through his lawyer, further complicated the proceedings. This refusal to engage with the legislative branch was seen by some as a sign of defiance and a lack of respect for the democratic process.
As Peru enters another period of political uncertainty, the focus will be on the ability of the new interim president to forge a stable governing coalition and address the country’s deep-seated problems. The challenges are significant, and the path forward remains unclear. The international community will be watching closely to see whether Peru can overcome its current crisis and restore stability and confidence in its institutions.
