News|GovernmentPeru’s Congress votes to impeach President Jose Jeri in government shake-upJeri is the latest in a series of Peruvian presidents to be removed from office by an act of Congress, after Dina Boluarte and Pedro Castillo.
Peru's President Jose Jeri has been impeached and removed from office, four months into his term. This action was taken following a vote by Peru's Congress on corruption allegations against his government.
Peru's President Jose Jeri has been impeached and removed from office, four months into his term. This action was taken following a vote by Peru's Congress on corruption allegations against his government.
Jeri, who assumed the presidency in October after Dina Boluarte was impeached for "moral incapacity," was previously the head of Congress. Boluarte had succeeded Pedro Castillo, who was impeached in December 2022.
Jeri was the seventh president in a decade, with several predecessors facing scandals leading to resignations or impeachment.
The allegations against Jeri include influence-peddling, notably involving "Chifagate," named after a Peruvian-Chinese cuisine. This scandal involved Jeri meeting Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang at a restaurant, a meeting not recorded on the official agenda as required by law.
Peru's President Jose Jeri has been impeached and removed from office, four months into his term.
Jeri denied any wrongdoing, claiming these were informal meetings to discuss cultural events or personal errands. Yang, who has ties to the Peruvian government, was involved in a delayed hydroelectric plant project. Another businessman, Jiwu Xiaodong, reportedly involved in these meetings, was under house arrest for illegal activities.
Peru's Congress voted on seven motions of censure against Jeri. The decision to impeach was supported by 75 members, with three abstentions and 24 opposing votes. An interim president is expected to be elected soon.
Peru is approaching a general election on April 12, which will determine the next president. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a run-off will occur in June. The election features at least 36 candidates, with concerns about possible rapid impeachment similar to previous presidents.
Critics argue that the "moral incapacity" clause used for impeachments is overly vague. Jeri's impeachment follows recent legal actions against former presidents, with Martin Vizcarra and Pedro Castillo both receiving prison sentences for corruption-related charges.
Peruvian prosecutors intend to continue their investigations into Jeri concerning corruption charges.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.