In a decisive move, Peru’s Congress has voted to remove President Dina Boluarte from her post. The impeachment followed a late-night session where a significant majority of lawmakers cited “permanent moral incapacity” as the grounds for her ousting.
With an approval rating hovering between 2-4%, President Boluarte’s tenure has been marked by persistent anti-government protests, numerous scandals, and a troubling increase in gang-related violence. The decision by Congress comes after a wave of public anger, further fueled by a recent shooting incident at a concert in the capital, Lima.
The final vote saw 122 out of 130 legislators supporting her removal, a strong bipartisan consensus against her leadership. Following the impeachment, Jose Jeri, the Congress leader, was sworn in as the interim president, as Peru currently lacks a vice-president.
President Boluarte, who did not attend the overnight congressional hearing, has questioned the potential impact of her removal on Peru’s democratic stability. Supporters of the impeachment celebrated the decision outside the congressional building.
Boluarte’s presidency, though brief, was turbulent. She assumed office in December 2022 after the impeachment and subsequent imprisonment of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo. Her term has been characterized by widespread protests, with over 500 demonstrations recorded in her first three months alone. Several investigations have also cast a shadow over her leadership, including the “Rolexgate” inquiry concerning allegations of accepting Rolex watches as bribes, and another probing her alleged abandonment of duties during a medical absence. Boluarte has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Earlier in the year, her decision to significantly increase her salary drew widespread criticism. Despite these challenges, she has called for national unity, stating her actions were always for the benefit of the Peruvian people.