Peru’s Congress removes the president over undisclosed meetings tied to China, deepening the political instability that has defined the Andean nation for nearly a decade. On Tuesday, lawmakers voted to remove President José Jerí just four months after he took office, marking yet another dramatic leadership change in the country.
The vote was decisive: 75 legislators supported his removal, 24 opposed it, and three abstained. The decision makes Jerí the third consecutive Peruvian president to be forced from office and paves the way for the country’s eighth president in just eight years.
A Swift and Decisive Vote
Jerí’s removal did not follow the traditional impeachment route, which requires a supermajority in Peru’s 130-member Congress. Instead, lawmakers used a censure mechanism — a process requiring only a simple majority — to strip him of his role as head of Congress. Because Jerí had ascended to the presidency as part of his role in Congress, losing that title automatically ended his presidency.
Jerí has publicly stated that he will respect the outcome of the vote.
The next step now falls to Congress. Legislators are set to elect a new head of Congress, who will automatically assume the presidency under Peru’s constitutional framework. Current congressional leader Fernando Rospigliosi, who would typically be next in line, has declined to take on the role, leaving lawmakers to select a new figurehead.
The “Chifagate” Scandal
At the heart of the controversy is what local media has dubbed “Chifagate,” referencing “chifa,” a popular Peruvian term for Chinese restaurants.
The scandal erupted after Jerí was filmed entering a restaurant late at night, reportedly wearing a hood, to meet with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang. Yang is known to own retail outlets and holds a concession connected to an energy project in Peru. The meeting was never publicly disclosed, raising concerns about transparency and potential influence-peddling.
Critics argued that the secrecy surrounding the encounter undermined public trust, particularly in a country already weary of corruption allegations.
Ruth Luque, one of the lawmakers who supported Jerí’s removal, said the country needs a leader who prioritizes public safety and transparency over hidden dealings.
“We want to end this agony,” she said, calling for a transition free from secret interests and shadowy negotiations. “Citizens deserve clarity and security — not backroom agreements.”
A Familiar Cycle of Instability
Jerí’s fall follows the removal of his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, who was ousted in October amid corruption scandals and mounting public frustration over rising crime. At the time, Jerí was serving as head of Congress and stepped into the presidency due to the absence of a vice president.
This pattern of rapid leadership turnover has become alarmingly common in Peru. Political analyst Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, suggested that electoral calculations — not necessarily principle — may have driven the decision.
“There’s little sign of higher ideals here,” Shifter observed. “Many lawmakers likely concluded that backing Jerí could damage their electoral prospects, so they acted.”
With national elections scheduled for April 12, political maneuvering is intensifying. The presidential field is already crowded, and polling indicates that a significant portion of voters remain undecided.
Echoes of Past Crises
Peru has faced similar constitutional upheavals before. In 2020, Francisco Sagasti rose to the presidency after being selected by Congress during a period of mass protests that followed Manuel Merino’s brief five-day tenure.
The current transition mirrors that earlier episode, highlighting how Congress has repeatedly become the central force in reshaping Peru’s executive leadership.
Public Distrust and Political Calculations
While lawmakers argue that removing Jerí was necessary to preserve integrity and restore public trust, critics say the repeated removals have eroded confidence in democratic institutions.
Peru’s Congress itself remains deeply unpopular, often accused of prioritizing political survival over long-term reforms. Crime and corruption continue to rank among voters’ top concerns, yet frequent leadership changes leave little time for meaningful governance.
With yet another interim president poised to take office, many Peruvians are questioning whether the cycle will finally break — or simply repeat itself once again.
Economic Stability Amid Political Chaos
Despite the political turbulence, Peru’s economy has shown surprising resilience. The mining-driven economy recorded 3.4% growth in 2025, while inflation remained relatively low at 1.7%. These figures suggest that economic fundamentals have so far remained insulated from the political drama unfolding in Lima.
Still, prolonged instability carries risks. Investors and citizens alike may grow wary if leadership uncertainty continues, particularly as election season approaches.
What Comes Next?
As Congress prepares to choose a new leader who will temporarily guide the country until elections, Peru stands at another crossroads. The upcoming vote will not only determine the next interim president but could also shape the tone of the April 12 elections.
For many Peruvians, the pressing question is not simply who will lead next — but whether the nation can finally escape a decade-long cycle of political upheaval and restore stability to its democratic institutions.
