Peru's legislature was scheduled to cast a vote on Tuesday regarding a proposal to dismiss interim President José Jerí, as prosecutors investigate claims of corruption tied to undisclosed meetings he held with two Chinese businesspeople.
Should the lawmakers attain a majority, Jerí would be removed from the presidency just four months after assuming the role. This ousting would initiate yet another leadership change, compelling the assembly to select a new chief and signaling a turbulent period in Peru's politics only two months prior to national elections.
Jerí represents the seventh individual to assume the presidency within a decade. He was inaugurated in October, succeeding a former president who was removed by Congress due to corruption accusations and increasing violent crime.
He is now facing expulsion from office by his former Congressional peers, who have charged him with misconduct and an inability to fulfill his presidential responsibilities. The 39-year-old acting president expressed optimism regarding his potential to remain in power after the vote.
"I'm still here," Jerí stated during a weekend interview on the Peruvian television channel Panamericana, asserting his commitment to serve the citizens of Peru until his “last day” in the presidential residence.
Should he be ousted, the legislature will select a new president from amongst their ranks to lead until July 28, when this interim president will transfer power to the victor of the April 12 presidential election.
Following this, Jerí will revert to his role as a legislator until July 28, coinciding with the commencement of the new Congress. There remains a chance that the lawmakers could decide against his removal. He retains backing from the Fuerza Popular party, which is headed by presidential hopeful Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of a former president who was incarcerated for human rights violations.
The allegations against Jerí arise from a leaked document about a secret meeting he had in December with two Chinese executives. One of those individuals is actively engaged in government contracts, while the other is currently under scrutiny for suspected involvement in illegal logging activities. Jerí has refuted any allegations of wrongdoing.
He stated that his meeting with the executives was to plan a celebration to enhance relations between Peru and China, but his rivals contend that he is involved in corrupt practices.
This ongoing crisis is a continuation of a prolonged political instability in a nation that has experienced seven presidents since 2016 and is gearing up for a general election amidst significant public dissatisfaction concerning rising violent crime.
In spite of the ongoing turnover in leadership, Peru's economy has maintained its stability. The Andean country had a ratio of external debt to gross domestic product of 32% in 2024, one of the lowest figures in Latin America, with the administration welcoming overseas investments in areas like mining and infrastructure.
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