分类： politics

In a dramatic turn of events, Peru’s Congress voted early Friday to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, citing her administration’s failure to address a surging crime wave that has gripped the nation. The 130-member unicameral legislature swiftly replaced Boluarte with 38-year-old lawyer José Jerí, the president of Congress, who was sworn in as interim leader shortly after the vote. The decision came just hours after a shooting at a concert in Lima further inflamed public anger over the country’s escalating violence. Lawmakers had convened a late-night debate and impeachment trial on Thursday, voting to accept four requests for Boluarte’s removal. Despite being summoned to defend herself, Boluarte did not appear before Congress, prompting lawmakers to vote unanimously—124 in favor, with no opposition—to impeach her. This marked the ninth attempt to remove Boluarte from office, but unlike previous efforts, it garnered widespread support across legislative factions. Boluarte, Peru’s first female president, assumed office in December 2022 after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was impeached for attempting to dissolve Congress. Her tenure was marred by over 500 protests in her first three months and an inability to curb rising crime rates. Official statistics reveal a record 6,041 homicides between January and mid-August, alongside a 28% spike in extortion cases. Boluarte partially attributed the crisis to illegal immigration, claiming past administrations had failed to secure borders. Despite Prime Minister Eduardo Arana’s defense of her during a parliamentary hearing, lawmakers remained resolute in their decision. Jerí, now interim president, pledged to uphold Peru’s sovereignty and oversee the transition to a new government following elections scheduled for April 2025.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalated dramatically during an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council on Friday. The Trump administration defended its recent military strikes against alleged drug cartels, vowing to use its “full might” to combat narcoterrorism. Meanwhile, Venezuela accused the U.S. of preparing for an armed attack, citing the deadly strikes on four boats that Washington claims were involved in drug trafficking. Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, warned that the U.S. actions threatened regional and international peace, security, and stability. The U.S. justified the strikes, which reportedly killed 21 people, as a necessary act of self-defense against well-armed and organized cartels. Venezuela’s request for the emergency meeting followed a significant buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean, a move described as unprecedented in recent years. While Venezuela received backing from allies Russia and China, other Security Council members urged de-escalation and adherence to the U.N. Charter, which emphasizes respect for sovereignty and peaceful dispute resolution. The U.S. delegation, led by Political Counselor John Kelley, reiterated President Trump’s stance that the military operations were consistent with international law. However, the council is unlikely to take action against the U.S. due to its veto power. France and Russia expressed concerns over unilateral military actions and the potential threat to international peace, with Russia describing the situation as increasingly acute. The meeting occurred just a day after U.S. Senate Republicans blocked legislation aimed at limiting Trump’s authority to use military force against drug traffickers.

In a significant development within Brazil’s judicial landscape, Supreme Court Justice Luís Roberto Barroso announced his early retirement, eight years before the mandatory retirement age of 75. The 67-year-old former chief justice, who stepped down from his leadership role in September, revealed his decision at the conclusion of Thursday’s court session, citing a desire to pursue personal interests and a quieter life. Barroso’s departure creates a pivotal opportunity for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to appoint a successor ahead of next year’s general elections, potentially shaping the court’s future direction. Barroso, appointed in 2013 by former President Dilma Rousseff, has been a central figure in high-profile cases, including the conviction of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro for coup-related charges. Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest, faces a 27-year prison sentence for his alleged role in orchestrating the January 8, 2023, riots at the Supreme Court building. Barroso emphasized that his retirement decision predates the current political climate, having informed President Lula of his intentions two years prior. Lula has already nominated two justices to the court this year, signaling his influence over its composition. The 11-member court, which has faced intense scrutiny and pressure since the 2023 riots, remains a critical institution in Brazil’s political and judicial framework.