Peru Congress Removes President Jerí After Secret Meeting Scandal

Peru's interim President José Jerí has been removed by Congress after only four months, marking the third president ousted in a short period.
By Newsroom | Politics, South America |

Peru's Congress has removed interim President José Jerí from office after only four months. This action follows a scandal involving undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman. The removal continues a period of significant political change in Peru, marking the third consecutive president to be ousted by Congress. Lawmakers are now preparing to elect a new interim leader.

Political Upheaval in Peru

José Jerí's brief tenure as Peru's interim president has ended abruptly. Congress voted to remove him from office following allegations of secret meetings with Zhihua Yang, a businessman reportedly under government scrutiny. Jerí had previously apologized for the meetings but denied any wrongdoing, suggesting his rivals were engaged in a smear campaign.

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The vote saw 75 lawmakers in favor of his removal, with 24 voting against and three abstaining. Jerí's impeachment continues a pattern of political instability in Peru. He had assumed the presidency in October after the impeachment of Dina Boluarte, who herself had served a limited term.

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Following Jerí's removal, Peru's Congress is scheduled to elect a new interim president. This individual will serve out the remainder of Jerí's term. The country has seen a rapid succession of leaders, with Jerí being the eighth president in eight years.

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Allegations and Official Response

The core of the scandal revolves around Jerí's undisclosed meetings with Zhihua Yang. Videos reportedly surfaced last month showing Jerí meeting Yang multiple times outside of his official schedule. Further scrutiny has arisen concerning allegations that Jerí hired unqualified young women who secured government jobs after late-night meetings at the presidential palace, as indicated by official entry-and-exit logs.

Jerí's denial of close acquaintance with businessman Ji Wu, who he stated was a friend of Yang's, was part of his address to lawmakers. The rapid impeachment, sometimes described as an "express impeachment," underscores the political tension surrounding these events.

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Peru's foreign ministry has sought to maintain international relations, with a photograph posted on X showing the minister shaking hands with China's ambassador, Song Yang, to mark the Lunar New Year and highlight Chinese investments and trade.

Shifting Leadership in Peru

Jerí's removal adds to a series of leadership changes in Peru. He became president after Dina Boluarte was impeached in October. With no acting vice president at the time, Jerí, then the head of Congress, stepped into the presidential role.

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The ongoing cycle of impeachments and removals has led to Peru having seven presidents in a decade. The incoming interim president will serve out the remainder of Jerí's term, and Jerí is constitutionally barred from running in the upcoming presidential elections, which are scheduled for April.

Evidence and Votes

  • Vote Tally: 75 in favor of removal, 24 against, 3 abstentions.

  • Meeting Details: Jerí met with businessman Zhihua Yang multiple times outside his official schedule.

  • Context of Succession: Jerí replaced Dina Boluarte, who was impeached in October. Jerí assumed the presidency as the head of Congress when there was no vice president.

  • New Leadership: Congress will vote for a new interim president, who will assume the role and serve the remainder of Jerí's term.

Analysis of Political Instability

The repeated ousting of Peruvian presidents highlights a persistent state of political instability within the country. The reasons cited for these removals, particularly concerning undisclosed meetings and potential ethical lapses, suggest a pattern of challenges in maintaining stable governance and public trust. The swiftness of Jerí's impeachment, coupled with the rapid succession of leaders, points to underlying political divisions and a mechanism within Congress that can quickly depose executive leadership.

Conclusion and Next Steps

President José Jerí has been removed from office by Peru's Congress after four months, due to allegations surrounding undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman and other scrutiny. This event continues a trend of significant political upheaval in Peru, with Jerí being the third consecutive president to be ousted. Congress is set to elect a new interim president who will serve out the remainder of the current term. The country faces further elections in April, with the current instability likely to be a key factor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Peru's Congress remove President José Jerí on February 17th?
Congress removed President Jerí after he held secret meetings with a Chinese businessman named Zhihua Yang. Lawmakers voted 75 to 24 to remove him from office.
Q: Who is Zhihua Yang and why are the meetings with him important?
Zhihua Yang is a Chinese businessman. Videos showed President Jerí meeting him multiple times outside of his official schedule, leading to questions about potential influence or wrongdoing.
Q: How long was José Jerí president of Peru?
José Jerí was interim president of Peru for about four months. He took office in October after the previous president, Dina Boluarte, was impeached.
Q: What happens next in Peru after President Jerí's removal?
Peru's Congress will now elect a new interim president. This new leader will serve the rest of Jerí's term, and the country is facing upcoming presidential elections in April.
Q: Is this the first time a president has been removed in Peru recently?
No, this is part of a pattern of political instability. Jerí is the third president in a row to be removed by Congress, and Peru has had seven presidents in the last decade.