4 months after appointment/ Peru's President dismissed from office

2026-02-17 22:19:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Peru's president has been ousted from office after being criticized by Congress, marking the eighth change of the country's leader in nearly a decade of political instability. Peru's Congress approved a no-confidence motion against José Jerí by 75 votes to 24, a move that came just four months after he took office as interim president and two months before expected general elections.

The vote comes after allegations that Jerí had held informal meetings with Chinese businessmen, on one occasion while wearing a hoodie, which led to an investigation by the Attorney General's Office for possible illegal sponsorship and exercise of aggravated influence.

"The presiding officers declare the position of President of the Congress of the Republic vacant and, consequently, the position of President of the Republic is vacant," said Fernando Rospigliosi, acting president of the Congress.

The various political blocs will now meet to agree on a list of candidates for President of Congress, for a legislative vote that will determine the next interim president.

Jerí, 39, took over the presidency in October after becoming Speaker of Congress when President Dina Boluarte was removed from office. Boluarte had led the executive branch since the 2022 dismissal and arrest of Pedro Castillo, who served for a year and a half.

The “Chifa-gate” scandal

Jerí has ??been accused of misconduct after holding secret meetings with Zhihua Yang, a Chinese businessman who holds a state-granted concession for one of his companies.

Jerí has ??denied any wrongdoing and said the meetings were “circumstances.” He has also denied that the businessman asked for any kind of favor or support from him.

The first meeting, held at a Chinese restaurant in Lima on December 26, sparked controversy after images showed the president entering the restaurant wearing a hoodie. Jerí had another meeting with Yang on January 6 at a Chinese goods store, where he arrived wearing sunglasses. Neither of these meetings was recorded in presidential records.

Last month, the 39-year-old interim president admitted that the meetings took place and apologized for the way they were conducted.

"I admit my mistake and publicly apologize for entering in that manner, covered in a hood, and for the way this has caused suspicion and doubt about my behavior and generated the creation of all kinds of unrealistic stories, which have no basis," he said.