Peru’s Congress voted on Tuesday to impeach interim president Jose Jeri, making him the country’s seventh leader in a decade and the latest to fall amid corruption allegations.
Jeri, 39, faced accusations of irregularly hiring several women for government posts and suspected graft involving a Chinese businessman. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Jeri assumed office last October after the ouster of Dina Boluarte, who was removed during nationwide protests over corruption and a surge in organized crime violence. Jeri, then head of Peru’s unicameral parliament, was named interim president to complete Boluarte’s term, which ends in July after elections scheduled for April 12. By law, he is not allowed to run for president.
Last week, prosecutors launched an investigation into whether Jeri used his influence improperly in government appointments. Investigative TV show Cuarto Poder reported that five women were improperly hired in the president’s office and the environment ministry after meeting Jeri, though prosecutors later said the number was actually nine. Jeri is also being investigated for alleged illicit support of a Chinese businessman with government contracts, following a secret meeting between the two.
The timing of Jeri’s impeachment, just weeks ahead of presidential elections with a record field of more than 30 candidates, has raised suspicions of political maneuvering. Rafael Lopez Aliaga, the right-wing Popular Renewal candidate and current poll leader, has been outspoken in his calls for Jeri’s removal.
Congress will select a new parliamentary leader on Wednesday, who will automatically become interim president until July. However, according to political analyst Augusto Alvarez, finding a legitimate replacement in the current Congress will be challenging, given its reputation for mediocrity and suspected corruption.
Since 2016, Peru has cycled through seven presidents, many of them impeached, investigated, or convicted. The country is also battling a severe extortion crisis, with dozens killed—especially bus drivers targeted for protection money. Reported extortion cases soared from 2,396 to over 25,000 in just two years, by 2025.
