Lima, Peru – Peru’s Congress has removed José Jerí from the presidency, marking the country’s eighth change of leader in less than a decade and plunging the nation into renewed political turmoil just weeks before scheduled elections. The vote, held on , followed accusations of corruption and influence peddling against Jerí, stemming from undisclosed meetings with Chinese business executives.
Lawmakers approved the motion of censure by a vote of 75 to 24, effectively vacating the office of President. Fernando Rospigliosi, acting head of Congress, announced the decision, stating that both the office of President of Congress and, the office of President of the Republic were now vacant. The various political blocs will now convene to determine a list of candidates for President of Congress, with a legislative vote to follow to select an interim president who will serve until , when the winner of the presidential election will be sworn in.
Jerí, who assumed the presidency in after becoming Speaker of Congress following the impeachment of Dina Boluarte, will return to his position as a legislator until the new Congress takes office. Boluarte herself had been removed from office amid widespread unrest and a surge in violent crime. Prior to Boluarte, Pedro Castillo served for a year and a half before his own impeachment and arrest in .
The ‘Chifa-gate’ Scandal
The impetus for Jerí’s removal centers around allegations of misconduct related to meetings with Zhihua Yang, a Chinese businessman holding a state-granted concession for one of his companies. The controversy erupted after images surfaced showing Jerí entering a Chinese restaurant in Lima on , wearing a hood, and attending another meeting with Yang on , at a Chinese goods store while wearing sunglasses. Neither meeting was officially recorded in presidential records.
Jerí has denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the meetings as “circumstantial” and asserting that Yang did not request any favors or support. He publicly apologized for the manner in which he conducted the meetings, acknowledging that entering the establishments hooded had created “suspicions and doubts” and fueled “unreal stories.”
The ensuing scandal, dubbed “Chifa-gate” – a reference to Peruvian cuisine with Chinese influences – prompted an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office into potential illegal sponsorship and aggravated influence peddling.
The situation has also drawn attention to Peru’s complex relationship with China, one of its largest trading partners, and concerns raised by the United States regarding China’s growing influence in the region. Last week, the US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs expressed concern over reports that Peru might lack oversight of the port of Chancay, managed by Chinese interests, warning of the potential cost to Peruvian sovereignty.
Peru’s political instability is a longstanding issue, often traced back to the presidency of Alberto Fujimori, who was ousted in following a corruption scandal. Since then, successive presidents have faced legal challenges or been removed from office under a cloud of suspicion.
Alejandro Toledo, Fujimori’s successor, was sentenced to over 20 years in prison for accepting bribes from the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht. Alan Garcia died by suicide in while facing investigation related to the same Odebrecht scandal. Ollanta Humala and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski were also implicated in the Odebrecht affair, while Martin Vizcarra was removed from office on grounds of “moral incapacity.” Pedro Castillo was arrested after attempting to dissolve Congress and establish an emergency government, and Dina Boluarte was impeached due to “permanent moral incapacity.” All those accused have denied the allegations against them.
The repeated cycles of political crisis and scandal have fueled public discontent and eroded trust in Peruvian institutions. The upcoming general election on , is seen as a critical opportunity for Peruvians to chart a new course, but the latest upheaval casts a shadow over the electoral process and raises questions about the country’s ability to achieve lasting political stability.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
