Peru’s interim president was removed from office on Tuesday over corruption allegations, further destabilizing the country ahead of April’s presidential and congressional elections, reports showed.
José Jerí’s ouster follows an ongoing scandal dubbed ‘Chifagate’, in which he was allegedly filmed during a secret meeting with a Chinese businessman who has a concession for an energy project. Associated press reported.
Jeri is also said to have met with another businessman, reportedly under investigation for alleged involvement in illegal logging.
Lawmakers ousted him by voting to remove him as head of Congress, which required only a simple majority and automatically stripped him of the presidency.
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Peru’s Congress has ousted President Jose Jeri after a scandal over secret meetings with a Chinese businessman in Lima. (REUTERS/Angela Ponce)
Jerí has said he will respect the outcome of the vote, has denied wrongdoing and will return to his role as lawmaker. Reuters reported.
Tuesday’s impeachment vote marks the latest twist in a long political crisis that has seen seven presidents since 2016.
Jerí had assumed the position on October 10, 2025, following the resignation of his predecessor, Dina Boluarte.
Right-wing parties that had supported Boluarte withdrew their support amid further corruption scandals. Because Boluarte had no vice president, Jerí, then head of Congress, was next in line.
Lawmakers will now choose a new congressional leader, who will also assume the presidency until July 28, 2026, when the winner of the April 12 election is sworn in.
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Jerí had assumed the position of president on October 10, 2025, following the resignation of his predecessor, Dina Boluarte. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
As the country heads toward the next vote, the presidential field remains crowded.
Conservative businessman Rafael López Aliaga is currently leading in the polls, while Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, is in second place in most other polls.
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Fujimori narrowly lost her last presidential bid, winning 49% of the vote in 2021. If no candidate wins more than 50% in April, the top two candidates will advance to the second round in June.
Rospigliosi said parties have until 6 p.m. local time to nominate candidates, and the legislature is expected to vote on a new president on February 18.
