In an abrupt and dramatic political shift, Peru’s Congress has formally impeached and removed President Dina Boluarte from office, citing her government’s failure to stem rampant crime and widespread public dissatisfaction. The decision comes amid growing protests, scandal-ridden headlines, and a crumbling coalition—effectively ending Boluarte’s fraught presidency in its tracks.
A Night to Remember: How the Ouster Unfolded
In the overnight hours of October 9–10, 2025, Peru’s unicameral Congress convened in a special session to vote on multiple motions for “vacancy by moral incapacity.” Four separate motions, brought by opposition and formerly allied parties, were accepted for discussion. Boluarte was summoned to present her defense at around 11:30 pm Lima time, but she did not appear.
In the vote that followed just past midnight, 124 lawmakers voted unanimously to remove her — there were no dissenting votes. Shortly thereafter, José Jerí, the 38-year-old President of Congress, was sworn in as interim President, per constitutional succession rules.
Congress clarified that the removal was on grounds of “moral incapacity”, not simply impeachment in a procedural sense. Boluarte’s absence during the hearing expedited the process, leaving no room for debate or counterarguments in her defense.
The Crisis That Brought Her Down
1. Explosion in Violent Crime
Arguably the greatest albatross around Boluarte’s neck was her inability to combat Peru’s surging violence. From January to mid-August 2025, the country recorded over 6,041 homicides — the highest such figure in comparable recent periods. Extortion complaints also soared, with nearly 15,989 cases reported between January and July — a 28 percent increase from the same period in 2024.
Matters came to a head after a mass shooting at a concert in Lima injured multiple patrons, inflaming national outrage and catalyzing calls for action.
2. Crippling Popular Discontent & Failed Coalitions
Boluarte’s approval rating was already at historic lows — fluctuating between 2 % and 4 % by mid-2025. Even long-standing political allies began distancing themselves. The Popular Force bloc, once a key pillar, withdrew support and backed the removal motions. Her administration was beset by controversies — from alleged illicit enrichment and the “Rolexgate” luxury watch scandal to criticisms about her silence and absences.
Notably, her government also failed to keep its earlier promise to call early general elections — a pledge at the time of Castillo’s removal that had galvanized public expectation.
3. Legal Immunity and Mounting Investigations
Earlier in 2025, Peru’s Constitutional Court granted Boluarte immunity from criminal investigations until the end of her term, citing constitutional protections. The suspension covered inquiries into protests that turned deadly, alleged illicit enrichment, and her own unreported absences from office during cosmetic surgery procedures. Critics lambasted the decision as a shield against accountability.
Nonetheless, the weight of political rancor and public fury overwhelmed legal maneuvering — the impeachment motion centered on moral incapacity, a constitutional standard not easily shielded by court rulings.
New Leadership, Endless Challenges: José Jerí’s Interim Presidency
Assuming power on October 10, 2025, José Jerí pledged a transition of reconciliation and continuity, pledging not to derail the scheduled April 2026 general elections. As President of Congress, he was constitutionally next in line.
However, Jerí enters office under scrutiny of his own. Allegations and investigations have previously targeted him for sexual misconduct, asset inflation, and possible bribe acceptance of S/150,000 — though none of these claims had been resolved at his swearing-in. Political analysts warn that Peru’s cycles of political instability may continue unless Jerí can swiftly reassure citizens and restore governance capacity.
Implications and What to Watch Next
Fragile legitimacy: Jerí begins his term as a caretaker with low political capital. Any misstep could spark renewed protests or further institutional crises.
Security crisis remains: The crime wave that catalyzed Boluarte’s removal still looms large. Jerí must act quickly to address public safety or risk a rupture of public trust.
Constitutional and legal fallout: Whether congress, judiciary, and executive can recalibrate and enforce norms — from impeachment standards to investigations — will test Peru’s institutional resilience.
Election horizon: With general elections slated for April 2026, political forces will jostle for positioning. How parties realign in the wake of Boluarte’s abrupt end may define Peru’s next phase.
In a stunning reversal, Dina Boluarte—once Peru’s first female president—has been deposed by her own legislature amid an acute crisis of security, legitimacy, and governance. Her downfall underscores a broader reality: in a country where political volatility has become the norm, even the highest office is vulnerable when public trust erodes. As José Jerí takes the reins, Peru enters another uneasy interregnum — one where the limits of constitutional order, public safety, and institutional strength will all be tested.
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