Peru’s interim President José Jerí appeared before a congressional oversight committee Wednesday to address allegations surrounding undisclosed meetings with Chinese business figures, encounters that have sparked both criminal investigations and mounting demands for his removal from office.
The political firestorm represents the latest development in Peru’s protracted governmental instability, marking the seventh presidential administration since 2016. The controversy emerges as the nation prepares for general elections amid growing public discontent over escalating violent crime rates.
Jerí, who assumed power in October following the abrupt impeachment of President Dina Boluarte, faces scrutiny for violating legal protocols requiring Peruvian leaders to formally document all official meetings. The president acknowledged meeting with businessman Yang Zhihua—whom he refers to as ‘Johnny’—first at a restaurant in late December and subsequently at a wholesale store in early January. Jerí characterized these encounters as informal occasions for dining on Chinese cuisine and purchasing candy.
Surveillance footage from December 26 showed the president arriving at the restaurant with his head concealed beneath a hood while carrying a bag, triggering opposition allegations of potential misconduct. Yang, despite operating both establishments, secured a 2023 concession to develop a hydroelectric facility in the Andes—a project yet to be realized.
Further complicating matters, Jerí admitted interactions with Ji Wu Xiaodong, another Chinese businessman who accessed the presidential palace on three separate occasions. Notably, Ji Wu was under house arrest and travel restrictions during these visits due to ongoing investigations into his alleged connections to criminal organizations involved in illegal Amazon rainforest logging.
The interim president defended these meetings as coordination efforts for Peruvian-Chinese Friendship Day (February 1), emphasizing China’s decade-long position as Peru’s primary trading partner. Jerí described Ji Wu as merely ‘serving food’ during their restaurant meeting and claimed his silence during palace visits resulted from limited Spanish proficiency. However, official records indicate Ji Wu maintains registered credentials as a Chinese-to-Spanish translator with Peru’s foreign ministry.
Peru’s Attorney General’s office has initiated a preliminary investigation into Jerí for suspected influence peddling and illegal lobbying offenses. While the prosecution confirmed the investigation remains confidential, the president has formally communicated his willingness to cooperate with authorities, offering to provide necessary statements and clarifications.