Peru’s Congress voted on Tuesday to remove interim President José Jerí from office over corruption allegations, deepening political uncertainty just weeks ahead of the April presidential and congressional elections. Jerí is under preliminary investigation for alleged influence peddling linked to undisclosed meetings with two Chinese executives.
China’s economic assistance often involves bribing local officials to push through impractical or unsustainable investments.
Peru Congress ousts President Jeri because of China-linked secret meetings https://t.co/jOvFDjwMOt— 夜明前 yoakemae (@masaakiin) February 18, 2026
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The legislature voted 75 in favor, 24 against, and 3 abstentions to remove Jerí, who had assumed office on October 10 following the dismissal of former President Dina Boluarte amid rising crime and civil unrest. Jerí will return to his legislative seat until July 28, when the newly elected president and Congress are scheduled to take office. A vote on an interim replacement from among current lawmakers is expected Wednesday.
The allegations against Jerí arose from a leaked report concerning a December meeting with two Chinese executives—one holding active government contracts and the other under investigation for an alleged illegal logging operation. Jerí denied wrongdoing, saying the meeting was related to organizing a Peruvian-Chinese cultural event. Opponents accused him of corruption, citing concerns over transparency and conflicts of interest.
Peru has experienced a turbulent political environment in recent years, with seven presidents since 2016. Notably, former President Pedro Castillo was removed in 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress and later sentenced to 11 years in prison. Boluarte’s three-year tenure ended under “moral incapacity” provisions, following protests and widespread corruption allegations.
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Despite frequent leadership changes, Peru’s economy has remained relatively stable, with public debt at 32% of GDP in 2024 and ongoing foreign investment, particularly in mining and infrastructure. The April election features a crowded field including conservative businessman Rafael Lopez Aliaga and former legislator Keiko Fujimori, with a runoff scheduled for June if no candidate achieves a majority.