Protesters in Peru celebrate after learning that Congress voted to remove interim President Jose Jeri.Image: AP
Feb 17, 2026, 10:41 p.mFeb 17, 2026, 10:41 p.m
The political instability in Peru never ends. After just four months in office, the South American country’s parliament ousted President José Jerí. In just under ten years, Peru has already had seven presidents.
With 75 out of 102 votes, Jerí lost a vote of no confidence. His successor is to be elected by parliament on Wednesday.
As the then speaker of parliament, Jerí took over the reins of government in October after President Dina Boluarte was deposed. He came under pressure over unofficial meetings with Chinese businessmen and alleged irregularities in the hiring of women to government positions.
“I have not committed a crime”
“Jerí exercised his power secretly: secret meetings, night gatherings and contradictory statements,” said MP Hamel Echevarría at the parliamentary session. The president always denied the allegations. “I haven’t committed a crime,” he said.
The removal comes just two months before the presidential election scheduled for April. The last Peruvian president to complete his five-year term was Ollanta Humala, who ruled between 2011 and 2016. (sda/dpa)