The country has a new interim president: José Jerí, 38 years old, took office on Friday (10), becoming the country’s seventh president in just five years. The inauguration takes place after the impeachment of the now former president, in the midst of a profound security crisis that is plaguing the nation. Jerí, in his first statements, called for “calm and tranquility” and promised to prioritize the “war against delinquency”.
One of Jerí’s first actions as president was to lead a federal operation in prisons in the early hours of this Saturday, the 11th, aiming to identify and combat cases of extortion originating within the prisons. The presidency reported that cell phones were found in the possession of detainees. In a post on social media, accompanied by police forces, Jerí reinforced: “Crime does not rest, neither do we. We will continue to fight crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Without respite, without fear and with determination.”
Right-wing and conservative lawyer and politician, Jerí has presided over the Peruvian Congress since July, after a meteoric political rise since his election as deputy in 2021. In front of Parliament, he reiterated his commitment to combating organized crime and emphasized the importance of “transparent” elections in 2026. “The main enemy is on the streets, in gangs and criminal organizations. They are our enemies today, and we must declare war on them,” he declared.
The “political inability” to contain the increase in crime was one of the main factors that led to Boluarte’s impeachment. The dismissal occurred hours after a high-profile incident: a shooting attack during a concert by the band Agua Marina, in Lima, which resulted in one death and several injuries. José Jerí must remain in office until July 2026, three months after the presidential elections in April. Political instability has been a hallmark of Peru over the past five years, with three presidents ousted and two resigning before possible impeachment since 2018.
With the inauguration, questions resurfaced about an accusation of sexual abuse against Jerí made in December last year, although the case was archived, according to the local press. Furthermore, old posts by Jerí on social networks, with content identified as sexist, were rescued and generated repercussions.
Former president Dina Boluarte denies leaving the country under investigation
Meanwhile, former president Dina Boluarte is under investigation by the Public Ministry for a case of money laundering that allegedly occurred in 2019. The agency has already requested the Court to prevent her from leaving the country. Boluarte had assumed government in 2022, after another impeachment, having previously been vice president. On Friday, the former president denied any intention of seeking asylum outside Peru, telling the press, according to the newspaper Diario El Comercio: “It is not even in my slightest thought, nor in my patriotic feelings”.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
