Peru’s Congress removed President Dina Boluarte early Friday, citing her failure to control the country’s rising crime rates.
The 38-year-old lawyer and leader of the legislature, José Jerí, was named as her replacement. The 130-member Congress conducted a debate and impeachment trial after approving four separate motions calling for her removal.
Boluarte was summoned to appear before Parliament just before midnight to defend herself but did not show up, prompting lawmakers to proceed with the vote. In a near-unanimous decision, 124 legislators voted in favor of impeachment, with no votes against the motion.
The move came hours after a shooting at a concert in Lima injured five people, fueling public anger over the worsening security situation. Lawmakers highlighted this growing frustration, saying, “Unlike eight previous attempts to remove Boluarte, almost all legislative factions expressed support for the latest requests.”
Boluarte became Peru’s first female president in December 2022 after the impeachment of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo. She took over a nation struggling with political division and instability. Her removal marks the sixth leadership change in Peru in less than ten years, reflecting ongoing political turmoil.
During her 22 months in office, Boluarte faced widespread protests, with over 500 demonstrations occurring within her first three months as citizens demanded her resignation. However, her eventual downfall was mainly driven by the government’s failure to address escalating criminal activity.
Official data shows that 6,041 people were killed between January and mid-August, the highest death toll since 2017. Extortion complaints also increased by 28% in the same period compared to 2024, totaling 15,989 cases.
Despite attempts by her cabinet to defend her record, Congress was unmoved. Prime Minister Eduardo Arana spoke to lawmakers during a crime-focused hearing on Thursday, but his appeal did not prevent the impeachment vote.
With Boluarte’s removal, Peru now faces another period of uncertainty. As the country prepares for upcoming elections, Jerí has the challenging task of restoring public confidence and stabilizing a nation exhausted by corruption, violence, and repeated leadership changes.