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The Peruvian Congress approved, in the early hours of this Friday (10), the dismissal of President Dina Boluarte for “moral incapacity”, in a unanimous vote. The decision was taken after a series of allegations of corruption, including the scandal known as “Rolexgate”, which investigates the use of undeclared luxury watches by the former president at official events.
With his departure, the head of Congress, José Jerí, aged 38, assumed the presidency on an interim basis. A member of the conservative Somos Peru party, he stated that he intends to lead a government of national reconciliation and declared that the country’s main enemy “is on the streets, in the criminal gangs”.
At 63 years old, Dina Boluarte came to power in December 2022, after the fall of Pedro Castillo/Photo: Reproduction
During the vote, crowds gathered in front of Congress in Lima and near the Ecuadorian embassy, where rumors arose that Boluarte might seek asylum. The atmosphere was celebratory, with flags and dancing. In a statement after her dismissal, Boluarte stated: “I wasn’t thinking about myself, but about the Peruvians.”
At 63 years old, Dina Boluarte came to power in December 2022, after the fall of Pedro Castillo, and faced strong popular rejection from the beginning of her term. His approval rating varied between 2% and 4%, aggravated by allegations of illicit enrichment and the decision to double his own salary in July, which intensified criticism.
In the first months of government, more than 500 protests took to the streets of the country demanding his resignation, many of them violently repressed. Human rights organizations denounced excesses by security forces during clashes, particularly in Andean regions.
With his departure, the head of Congress, José Jerí, aged 38, assumed the presidency on an interim basis/Photo: Reproduction
Boluarte’s administration was also marked by high crime, with 6,041 murders recorded between January and August, the highest number since 2017. Reports of extortion rose 28% compared to the previous year. She went so far as to blame part of the crisis on illegal immigration, attributing the increase in violence to the lack of control in previous governments.
José Jerí must remain president until the general elections scheduled for April 2026. He promised to respect the electoral calendar and hand over power to the next winner. Peru continues to face profound political instability — the country has already had seven presidents since 2016 and four former leaders in prison, reflecting an institutional crisis that seems far from over.
