LIMA, Peru (AP) — In an unexpected move, Peru’s Congress voted early Friday to oust President Dina Boluarte, whose presidency had been marked by widespread dissatisfaction as the nation wrestles with escalating crime. Lawmakers acted decisively, swiftly electing 38-year-old attorney José Jerí, the head of the legislative body, to take her place.
The drama unfolded overnight as Congress initiated a debate concerning Boluarte’s impeachment. They had previously agreed to consider four different requests aimed at her removal, all triggered by claims of her administration’s failure to control crime rates.
Boluarte was called to defend herself just before midnight; however, when she failed to appear, Congress members moved quickly to proceed with her dismissal. In a decisive vote held just after midnight, 124 lawmakers stood in favor of the impeachment, with none opposing the motion.
This political upheaval followed closely on the heels of a tragic shooting incident at a concert in Peru’s capital, which heightened public anger regarding crime levels across the country.
Unlike several prior attempts to remove Boluarte from power, this time a broad coalition among legislative members supported the impeachment effort, signaling a significant shift in political dynamics.
Boluarte made history as Peru’s first female president, taking office in December 2022 under similar circumstances; her predecessor was also impeached by Parliament.
Following the impeachment, Boluarte addressed the nation in a televised speech where she recounted her government’s accomplishments, stating, “I have prioritized the welfare of Peruvians over personal considerations.”
However, her address was cut short when notice of Jerí’s swearing-in ceremony interrupted the transmission.
As the new interim president, Jerí committed to preserving Peru’s national integrity, pledging to transfer power to the victor of the upcoming elections scheduled for next April. Boluarte’s term was slated to conclude on July 28, 2026.
This makes Boluarte the sixth president of Peru within less than a decade, amid a tumultuous political landscape where a typical presidential term is five years long.
She originally rose to power in 2022 by completing the remaining term of then-President Pedro Castillo. Castillo’s presidency ended abruptly after he attempted to dissolve the legislature to bypass a parliamentary vote aimed at dislodging him, leading to Boluarte’s ascension from vice presidency.
In Boulart’s brief term, protests demanding her resignation were frequent, with over 500 demonstrations occurring in the first quarter of her presidency alone.
Her political struggles stemmed largely from scandals and her administration’s failure to tackle the soaring crime problems, which appeared insurmountable with each passing month.
On a previous occasion, Boluarte partially attributed the current crisis to illegal immigration, commenting, “These criminal activities have been escalating for decades, and have been compounded by ineffective border control measures in past governments, allowing criminals to infiltrate without said restrictions.”
The statistics are staggering: from January to mid-August, the country recorded 6,041 homicides — the highest tally for that timeframe since 2017. Additionally, extortion cases surged to 15,989 for the first seven months, reflecting a 28% rise compared to the prior year.
The violence peaked when a shooter injured five individuals at a concert featuring popular cumbia band Agua Marina, adding fuel to the fire in an already tenuous situation.
During a parliamentary session focused on crime rates, Prime Minister Eduardo Arana defended Boluarte, but ultimately his position did little to dissuade lawmakers from acting against her.
“Merely pursuing impeachment doesn’t resolve the valid concerns of Congress members,” Arana noted. “No one here is overly comfortable in their role; we knew our positions could come to an abrupt end at any moment.”
