Peru's congress removed interim President Jose Jeri on 17/2, approving a censure motion with 75 votes in favor and 24 against. Jeri's ousting comes after just four months in office; he was elected interim president following the impeachment and removal of former president Dina Boluarte in 10/2025.
Jeri was Peru's seventh president since 2016, making this the country's eighth leadership change in less than a decade of political instability.
"The position of president of Congress is vacant, therefore, the position of president is also vacant," stated Fernando Rospigliosi, acting head of Congress, after Jeri, 39, was removed.
Parliamentary groups will convene to finalize a list of candidates for the position of president of Congress. Peru's congress is scheduled to vote today to elect the next interim president.
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Interim President Jose Jeri in Lima, 14/2. Photo: AFP |
Interim President Jose Jeri in Lima, 14/2. Photo: AFP
Jeri faced accusations of misconduct stemming from private meetings with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang. Yang's company had received a government concession from Peru.
The first meeting, held at a Chinese restaurant in Lima in late 12/2025, sparked controversy as Jeri entered wearing a hoodie. He later met Yang on 6/1, appearing in sunglasses. Neither meeting was officially recorded in presidential public records.
Jeri denied all allegations of wrongdoing, stating the meetings were "accidental." He also denied that the businessman had ever offered any favors or support.
The Peruvian Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into suspected "illegal patronage" and "aggravated influence peddling."
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Jeri appeared in a hoodie during a meeting with a Chinese businessman in late 2025. Photo: El Buho |
Jeri appeared in a hoodie during a meeting with a Chinese businessman in late 2025. Photo: El Buho
In 1/2026, Jeri admitted the meetings took place and apologized for how they were conducted.
"I acknowledge the error and publicly apologize for meeting in such a way, which raised suspicions and created all sorts of false stories, completely unfounded," he said.
Peru's political instability began with Alberto Fujimori's presidency. He was deposed in 2000 after a scandal involving intelligence leadership and later convicted of corruption, embezzlement, and human rights violations.
According to CNN, AP, AFP
