Peru plunged deeper into political turmoil this week as Congress impeached interim President José Jerí, a stunning move fueled by allegations of clandestine meetings with Chinese businessmen.
The impeachment, finalized Tuesday, marks the latest chapter in a remarkable period of instability for the Andean nation. Since 2016, Peru has witnessed a dizzying succession of leaders – eight presidents in total – ousted by resignations, impeachments, and swirling scandals.
The vote to remove Jerí was decisive, with 75 congressmen voting in favor, 24 against, and three abstaining. This “motion of censure” effectively ended his brief tenure, just four months after he assumed the presidency in October 2025.
The accusations center around secret meetings with Zhihua Yang, a Chinese executive who reportedly secured state concessions for energy projects. Security camera footage, obtained by the Public Prosecutor’s Office from locations across Lima, appears to show the two men meeting in the capital city.
Jerí publicly acknowledged the meetings, but vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In a statement released in January, he insisted Yang never requested any favors or support, and that he was unaware of the businessman’s past activities. He claimed he would have severed ties immediately had any improper requests been made.
Despite Jerí’s denials, Congress moved forward with the impeachment, highlighting the deep distrust and fragility of Peru’s political landscape. He now becomes the third consecutive president to be removed from office.
Jerí inherited the presidency after the impeachment of Dina Boluarte, who herself was removed amidst widespread violence. Boluarte had stepped into the role in 2022, following the ousting and imprisonment of Pedro Castillo, who attempted a coup d’état.
With Jerí’s removal, Peru’s Congress has scheduled general elections for April 12th, aiming to elect a new president and potentially break the cycle of political upheaval. In the interim, a new leader will be chosen by Congress on Wednesday.
Candidates vying for the interim presidency include Segundo Héctor Acuña Peralta, María del Carmen Alva Prieto, Edgard Cornelio Reymundo Mercado, and José María Balcázar Zelada, as announced by Peru’s Congress. The nation now waits, bracing for another period of uncertainty as it seeks a path toward stability.
