Peru’s Congress has removed interim president Jose Jeri, making him the country’s seventh leader in just ten years to be toppled amid corruption claims.
Jeri, 39, faced accusations of irregularly hiring women within his administration and of alleged graft linked to a Chinese businessman. He took office last October following the impeachment of Dina Boluarte, who also left office amid protests over corruption and escalating violence connected to organised crime.
Allegations and Investigations
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into whether Jeri exercised undue influence in government appointments. Investigative reporting revealed that five, and possibly nine, women were appointed to government positions after private meetings with the president.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelJeri is also under scrutiny for a secret meeting with a Chinese businessman with commercial interests tied to the government. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Political Context
Jeri, previously the head of Peru’s unicameral parliament, was serving out Boluarte’s term, which ends in July when elections are scheduled. He is constitutionally barred from running for the presidency.
Observers suggest that political manoeuvring may have influenced the impeachment, coming just weeks before April’s elections, which feature a record 30 candidates. Rafael Lopez Aliaga, the right-wing Popular Renewal candidate and current frontrunner, was among the most vocal in calling for Jeri’s removal.
Leadership Vacuum
Congress is expected to elect a new parliamentary leader on Wednesday, who will automatically assume the role of interim president until the July elections. Political analyst Augusto Alvarez warned, “It will be difficult to find a replacement with political legitimacy in the current Congress, with evidence of mediocrity and strong suspicion of widespread corruption.”
Peru has now seen seven presidents since 2016, many of whom were impeached, investigated, or convicted of corruption.
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Security and Violence
The country is also facing a surge in extortion, particularly targeting bus drivers. In the past two years, reported cases have risen more than tenfold, from 2,396 to over 25,000 in 2025. The wave of violence has claimed dozens of lives, contributing to growing public unease.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
