Since 2000, only 3 presidents have completed a 5-year term; country experiences political instability
Since the fall of Peru’s former president Alberto Fujimori (1990–2000), the country has faced significant political instability, marked by successive crises and changes in executive command. In the last 25 years, Peru has had 11 presidents, only 3 of whom managed to serve the full 5-year term.
The last one to fully complete the term was (2011–2016). During his government, the case of Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction company accused of financing electoral campaigns of Latin American candidates in exchange for public works contracts, came to light. .
The court also sentenced the former president’s wife, Nadine Heredia, who will serve the same sentence as Humala. According to the decision, Heredia was also involved in the bribery scheme. Both received the money during the successful 2011 election campaign.
The other 2 presidents who also completed their terms were:
- Alan Garcia (2006–2011) – faced accusations of corruption in the Lava Jato operation and, in 2019, committed suicide to avoid arrest;
- Alejandro Toledo (2001–2006) – for money laundering also in the case of Odebrecht. This was the politician’s second conviction for widespread corruption. Toledo is currently serving his sentence in a penitentiary in Lima, the Peruvian capital.
Among the most recent presidents who were unable to complete their term is (2021–2022), the last one elected at the polls. With low popularity and allegations of corruption, he was dismissed on December 7, 2022, after launching a coup d’état. He is currently serving 18 months in pre-trial detention, accused of rebellion and conspiracy, in addition to being investigated for leading a criminal organization.
On the same day, (without a party) she assumed the Presidency, becoming the 1th woman to hold the position in the history of Peru. Like his predecessors, he also did not complete his term:
At 63, Boluarte faces accusations of illicit enrichment and responsibility for violent repressions during protests, and was declared by Parliament to have “moral incapacity” to govern the country. Here is the removal approval document (PDF – 590 kB, in Spanish).
With his departure, the head of Congress, (Somos Perú, center), assumed the Presidency. He stated that he will remain in office until July 2026, 3 months after the presidential elections scheduled for April.
In his inauguration speech, Oré acknowledged that Peru is experiencing a chronic political crisis, with governments unable to complete their mandates, weakened institutions and exhausted citizens. Prometheus “rebuild national trust and lay the foundations for reconciliation among all Peruvians”.
