Peru's Political Crisis: Congress Ousts President Boluarte as Jose Jeri Vows to Combat Rising Crime

Jose Jeri was sworn in as Peru's new president shortly after Congress unanimously voted to remove President Dina Boluarte amid growing concerns over crime rates and corruption allegations.

Peru's lawmakers installed Congress chief Jose Jeri as the country's president less than an hour after they unanimously decided to oust President Dina Boluarte on Friday, as public outrage intensified over increasing criminal activity and corruption charges.

Boluarte, one of the world's least popular leaders, was removed just after midnight, following various political groups submitting motions for her dismissal on grounds of moral incapacity.

The impeachment vote occurred after several members of the popular cumbia group Agua Marina were injured in a shooting during their Wednesday concert at a Peruvian military venue.

The motions for Boluarte's removal referenced the economic impact of rising crime rates, corruption allegations, and a scandal known locally as "Rolexgate" regarding her collection of luxury watches.

Jeri, becoming Peru's seventh president since 2016, immediately declared his intention to take strong action against insecurity.

"The main enemy is out there on the streets: criminal gangs," he told Congress while wearing the national flag sash. "We must declare war on crime."

At 38 years old, the conservative Somos Peru party member who became Congress president in July now ranks among the world's youngest heads of state.

Crowds gathered outside Congress and Ecuador's embassy, where rumors suggested Boluarte might seek asylum. Some citizens celebrated by waving flags, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

After the congressional vote, Boluarte delivered an address at the presidential palace acknowledging that the same Congress that inaugurated her in late 2022 had now voted for her removal, noting "the implications this has for the stability of democracy in our country."

"At every moment, I called for unity," she stated.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum had summoned Boluarte to defend herself before Congress on Thursday night. When she failed to appear, legislators had sufficient votes to proceed with an expedited impeachment process.

Boluarte, 63, had approval ratings between just 2% and 4%, following accusations of illegally profiting from her office and overseeing deadly crackdowns on protests supporting her predecessor. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Her removal continues Peru's revolving door of leadership, with three former presidents currently imprisoned.

The congressional vote marks a reversal after lawmakers previously rejected several removal motions that never reached the debate stage.

The latest effort was notable for the participation of right-wing parties that had historically supported Boluarte, including Rafael Lopez's Popular Renewal and Keiko Fujimori's Popular Force. Both political figures are expected to run for president in April 2026.

Boluarte assumed power in December 2022 after her predecessor, President Pedro Castillo, under whom she served as vice president, was ousted and arrested following his attempt to dissolve Congress.

Castillo's removal triggered months of widespread, deadly protests, particularly in rural Andean and Indigenous communities. Human rights groups have accused Boluarte's government of using excessive force to suppress these demonstrations.

She also became entangled in allegations of illicit enrichment involving undeclared assets and watches. In July, she decided to double her salary.