PERU CONGRESS IMPEACHES INTERIM PRESIDENT JOSE JERI AMID GRAFT PROBE

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Agency Report

Peru’s Congress on Tuesday impeached interim President Jose Jeri, marking the seventh head of state to fall in the South American nation in just 10 years and the latest to be removed over corruption-related allegations.

Jeri, 39, was accused of irregularly hiring several women into government positions and of suspected graft involving a Chinese businessman. Prosecutors last week opened an investigation to determine “whether the head of state exercised undue influence” in public appointments.

The embattled leader has denied any wrongdoing.

Investigative television programme Cuarto Poder alleged that five women were improperly given jobs in the president’s office and the environment ministry after meeting with Jeri. Prosecutors, however, said nine women were involved.

Jeri is also under investigation for alleged “illegal sponsorship of interests” following a reported secret meeting with a Chinese businessman said to have commercial ties with the government.

Jeri assumed office in October last year after Congress impeached his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, amid widespread protests over corruption and escalating violence linked to organised crime.

At the time, Jeri was head of Peru’s unicameral parliament and was appointed to complete Boluarte’s term, which ends in July. He is constitutionally barred from contesting the April 12 presidential election that will produce a new leader.

Some political observers have suggested that Jeri’s impeachment, coming just weeks before the election, may have been influenced by political maneuvering. More than 30 candidates — a record number — are contesting the vote.

Among the most vocal critics calling for Jeri’s removal was right-wing Popular Renewal candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga, who currently leads opinion polls.

Congress is expected to elect a new parliamentary leader on Wednesday. Under Peru’s constitution, the new Congress president will automatically serve as interim president until the newly elected leader is sworn in July.

Peru has experienced persistent political instability since 2016, with several presidents impeached, investigated, or convicted of corruption-related offences.

The country is also battling a surge in organised crime, particularly extortion targeting transport operators. In the past two years, reported extortion cases have risen sharply—from 2,396 to more than 25,000 in 2025—amid deadly attacks on bus drivers and business owners who refuse to pay protection money.

Political analyst Augusto Alvarez warned ahead of the impeachment vote that finding a replacement with political legitimacy would be difficult, citing “mediocrity and strong suspicion of widespread corruption” within Congress.

With yet another leadership change, Peru’s prolonged cycle of political upheaval shows little sign of easing.