Peru's President Removed by Congress in Political Shakeup
2025 | Political Analysis & International Relations
⚡ CONGRESSIONAL VOTE • "MORAL INCAPACITY" • CRIME WAVE • ROLEXGATE SCANDAL • TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
Historic Removal • Security Crisis • Corruption Allegations • Interim President • April 2026 Elections
The Impeachment: A Swift Political Execution
On October 10, 2025, Peru's Congress voted decisively to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, citing "permanent moral incapacity" as the constitutional justification. The vote saw overwhelming support for her removal, with reports indicating between 118-124 votes in favor out of 130 members, with no votes against the motion.
Peru's Congress voted overwhelmingly to remove President Dina Boluarte from office
The immediate trigger for the impeachment was a shooting at a concert in Lima that injured five people, which intensified public anger over a severe crime wave that has plagued the country. However, the vote represented the culmination of multiple crises that had eroded Boluarte's political support across the spectrum, including from her former allies.
Key Figures: The Players in Peru's Political Drama
The rapid political transition involves several key figures whose roles and backgrounds illuminate the complex dynamics of Peruvian politics.
Dina Boluarte
Role: Ousted President
Tenure: December 2022 - October 2025
Background: Former Vice President
Status: Removed from office
Originally ascended to presidency after Pedro Castillo's removal. Faced multiple scandals and security crises during her tenure.
José JerÃ
Role: New Interim President
Age: 38 years old
Position: Congress President
Mandate: Transition until elections
Sworn in immediately after Boluarte's removal. Will lead transitional government until general elections in April 2026.
Pedro Castillo
Role: Former President
Tenure: July 2021 - December 2022
Fate: Impeached and arrested
Current Status: In detention
Boluarte's predecessor, removed for attempting to dissolve Congress. His removal initially brought Boluarte to power.
The Crises That Toppled a President
Boluarte's administration was plagued by multiple overlapping crises that gradually eroded her political support and created the conditions for her removal.
| Crisis | Impact | Public Reaction | Political Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Crisis | Rising homicide and extortion rates | Public outrage and fear | Loss of popular support |
| Rolexgate Scandal | Corruption investigation | Erosion of credibility | Withdrawal of political allies |
| Plastic Surgery Absence | Unauthorized leave from duties | Questions about commitment | Constitutional challenges |
| Economic Challenges | Stagnant growth and inequality | Public dissatisfaction | Broad opposition coalition |
Security Crisis: The Breaking Point
The dramatic surge in violent crime proved to be the final straw that broke Boluarte's presidency, with official statistics painting a grim picture of deteriorating public safety.
Homicide Statistics
Official Figures: 6,041 people killed between January and mid-August 2025
Historical Context: Highest homicide numbers since 2017
Public Impact: Widespread fear and anger about security situation
Political Fallout: Erosion of confidence in government's ability to protect citizens
Extortion Epidemic
Rising Cases: Extortion complaints increased by 28% compared to same period in 2024
Business Impact: Small businesses particularly affected
Geographic Spread: Crime spreading beyond traditional hotspots
Government Response: Perceived as inadequate and ineffective
Concert Shooting
Trigger Event: Shooting at Lima concert injured five people
Public Reaction: Intensified existing anger over crime wave
Media Coverage: Extensive reporting highlighted security failures
Political Impact: Became symbolic of government's security failures
Scandals and Controversies: Beyond the Security Crisis
While the security situation provided the immediate justification for Boluarte's removal, multiple scandals had already severely damaged her credibility and political standing.
Historical Context: Peru's Political Instability
Boluarte's removal continues a pattern of political instability that has characterized Peruvian politics in recent years, with frequent presidential transitions and ongoing governance challenges.
Pedro Castillo Inaugurated: The rural teacher and political outsider assumes presidency after surprising electoral victory, representing the left-wing Peru Libre party.
Castillo's Self-Coup Attempt: President Castillo attempts to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, leading to his immediate impeachment and arrest.
Boluarte Ascends to Presidency: Vice President Dina Boluarte assumes presidency following Castillo's removal, initially enjoying broad support.
Scandals Emerge: The "Rolexgate" scandal and controversy over Boluarte's unauthorized absence for plastic surgery erode her political capital.
Security Crisis Escalates: Rising crime rates and a high-profile concert shooting create conditions for congressional action against Boluarte.
Boluarte Removed: Congress votes overwhelmingly to remove Boluarte for "permanent moral incapacity," installing José Jerà as interim president.
The Constitutional Framework: "Moral Incapacity" as Grounds for Removal
Legal Basis for Removal
The Peruvian constitution allows for the removal of a president for "permanent moral incapacity," a provision that has been invoked multiple times in recent years. This vague constitutional clause has become the primary mechanism for Congress to remove presidents, creating what critics describe as a parliamentary system in presidential clothing. The flexibility of this provision has contributed to Peru's political instability, allowing Congress to remove presidents without needing to establish specific criminal conduct or meet the higher threshold of impeachment for criminal offenses.
Pattern of Presidential Removals
Boluarte becomes the sixth Peruvian president in under a decade to be removed from office or resign under pressure, highlighting a systemic governance crisis. This pattern reflects deep institutional weaknesses, including fragmented political parties, a confrontational relationship between executive and legislative branches, and a constitution that facilitates frequent leadership changes. The constant turnover in presidential leadership has made long-term policy planning difficult and contributed to public disillusionment with democratic institutions.
International Implications
Peru's ongoing political instability has implications for regional stability and international relations. As a significant producer of copper and other minerals, political uncertainty in Peru can affect global commodity markets. The country's instability also represents a challenge for regional governance and democracy promotion efforts in Latin America. International observers are closely watching whether the transitional government can stabilize the country and conduct credible elections in April 2026.
What's Next: The Transitional Government and Future Elections
With José Jerà now sworn in as interim president, Peru faces a critical six-month transition period leading to scheduled general elections in April 2026.
Challenges Facing the Transitional Government
- Security Crisis Management: The new government must immediately address the crime wave that contributed to Boluarte's removal, requiring both short-term security measures and long-term crime prevention strategies.
- Economic Stability: Maintaining economic stability during the transition while addressing underlying issues of inequality and slow growth that contribute to social unrest.
- Electoral Preparation: Ensuring free and fair elections in April 2026 while building confidence in the electoral process among a skeptical public.
- International Relations: Reassuring international partners and investors about Peru's stability and commitment to democratic norms.
- Constitutional Reform Debate: Addressing growing calls for constitutional reform to create more stable governance structures and prevent repeated presidential crises.
Regional Context: Political Instability in Latin America
Peru's political crisis occurs within a broader context of regional instability, with several Latin American countries experiencing governance challenges and political polarization.
Comparative Regional Instability
- Institutional Weakness: Like several neighbors, Peru suffers from weak political institutions that struggle to manage social conflicts and implement consistent policies.
- Executive-Legislative Conflict: The pattern of confrontation between presidents and legislatures seen in Peru mirrors similar dynamics in other Latin American countries.
- Social Unrest: Widespread dissatisfaction with crime, corruption, and economic performance has fueled political instability across the region.
- Democratic Erosion: Frequent presidential removals raise questions about the health of democratic norms and the balance of power in Latin America's political systems.
- Regional Spillover Effects: Instability in one country can affect neighbors through refugee flows, economic disruption, and the spread of political tactics.
The resolution of Peru's current crisis will be closely watched throughout Latin America as an indicator of whether countries in the region can overcome patterns of instability and establish more durable governance systems. The success or failure of the transitional government and the April 2026 elections will have implications beyond Peru's borders.
Conclusion: Peru's Ongoing Search for Stability
The removal of Dina Boluarte represents both continuity and change in Peruvian politics—continuity in the pattern of presidential instability that has marked the country's recent history, and change in the specific circumstances and political alignments that led to her ouster. The overwhelming congressional vote for removal reflects the depth of the crises facing her administration and the broad political consensus that had formed around the need for leadership change.
The challenges facing interim president José Jerà are substantial, ranging from immediate security concerns to longer-term institutional reforms. His ability to manage these challenges during the six-month transition to elections will significantly influence Peru's political trajectory and either reinforce or break the cycle of instability that has characterized recent years.
As Peru prepares for yet another electoral process in April 2026, the fundamental questions of governance, institutional design, and political culture that underlie the country's instability remain unresolved. The removal of Boluarte may address an immediate political crisis, but without deeper reforms addressing the structural causes of Peru's governance challenges, the pattern of presidential instability seems likely to continue.