Peru has witnessed yet another dramatic political shift as 38-year-old José Jerí assumed the presidency on Friday, marking the nation’s seventh leader in less than a decade. This transition followed the overnight impeachment of President Dina Boluarte, who was removed by Congress over her administration’s failure to address rampant crime and corruption. Jerí, a young lawyer with limited political experience, was sworn in early Friday after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to oust Boluarte, citing her inability to tackle the country’s escalating security crisis. In his inaugural address, Jerí pledged to prioritize national reconciliation, combat crime, and ensure neutrality in the upcoming April 2026 elections. Boluarte’s removal came after a heated congressional session where 124 lawmakers voted unanimously to impeach her, the ninth such attempt during her tumultuous presidency. Her tenure, which began in December 2022 after the impeachment of her predecessor Pedro Castillo, was marred by widespread protests, scandals, and accusations of corruption. Boluarte, Peru’s first female president, defended her record in a televised speech, but the broadcast was abruptly cut to air Jerí’s swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office has requested a travel ban on Boluarte as it investigates allegations of money laundering and corruption. Jerí’s rise to power, though unexpected, reflects Peru’s ongoing political instability, with the nation now looking toward the next elections for a more permanent resolution.
Peru wakes up to 7th president in less than a decade after President Boluarte ousted by Congress
