Peru lawmakers vote to oust president Dina Boluarte over crime crisis | Peru
Lawmakers in Peru have voted to impeach president Dina Boluarte, whose tenure was marked by protests and accusations that she failed to prevent crime.
Boluarte refused to appear before Congress for an overnight hearing on Friday after a majority of lawmakers, including some once loyal to him, voted to launch impeachment proceedings.
They summoned Boluarte to appear before Congress at 11:30 p.m., but Boluarte skipped the hearing, which resulted in 118 lawmakers voting for his impeachment.
“The impeachment of the president has been approved,” said Congress leader José Jerí, who took over the presidency of the South American country until April 2026, when elections will be held.
“Today, I humbly assume the presidency of the republic to establish and lead a transitional government,” Jerí said in parliament after being sworn in. he said.
Boluarte’s presidency was marked by protests, various scandals, investigations and an increase in gang violence. He had already faced multiple attempts to remove him from office.
The latest effort cited his “persistent moral inability” to carry out his duties since taking office in December 2022.
Peru has had six presidents in nearly nine years.
Boluarte, who took office after his predecessor Pedro Castillo was dismissed due to the crackdown on protests that led to the death of at least 50 people, has seen his approval rating drop.
He is the subject of several investigations, including a scandal known as “Rolexgate”, for allegedly failing to declare gifts of luxury jewelry and watches.
Boluarte also gave him a big salary increase in July.
Anti-government protests have increased in recent weeks after the government passed a law on September 5 requiring young people to contribute to private pension funds, despite job insecurity and an unofficial employment rate of over 70%.
Protests have also increased in the last six months as a result of a wave of extortions and murders by organized crime groups.
