Peru Congress removes Jose Jeri

Peru’s Congress voted to remove President Jose Jeri after four months in office, approving a censure motion by a simple majority amid a scandal over an undisclosed meeting with a Chinese businessman. Seventy-five lawmakers supported the ouster, 24 opposed and three abstained. Jeri said he would respect the vote and denied wrongdoing, characterizing the meeting as a circumstantial conversation about a Peru–China friendship event and denying any illicit content.

The controversy—nicknamed “Chifagate” in local media—centered on footage of Jeri arriving late at night at a restaurant wearing a hood to meet Zhihua Yang, a businessman with retail interests and a concession on an energy project. Critics argued the meeting should have been disclosed and raised concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest with Chinese-linked commercial actors; supporters of the president called the removal politically motivated.

Jeri had assumed the presidency after Congress removed Dina Boluarte in October amid corruption scandals and mounting public anger over crime. With no vice president in place, the head of Congress was next in the line of succession; current congressional leader Fernando Rospigliosi has declined to assume the role. Lawmakers are scheduled to elect a new congressional leader, who would become interim president until the general election scheduled for April 12. Polls show many voters remain undecided in that race.

The latest removal extends a pattern of political volatility in Peru, where successive presidents have left office prematurely amid clashes between the executive and legislature. Analysts warn the instability undermines public confidence and complicates economic planning, particularly given Peru’s reliance on mining exports and substantial Chinese investment. Financial markets reacted cautiously.

Security forces were deployed around government buildings during the debate; small demonstrations by supporters and opponents formed outside Congress, with no major incidents reported immediately after the vote. International observers and diplomatic missions urged calm and adherence to constitutional procedures, calling for dialogue to restore stability. Civil society groups reiterated demands for stronger institutional checks, greater transparency in foreign engagement and respect for democratic norms as the country prepares for another transitional leadership change.