On October 14, 2025, the world’s attention turned sharply toward Madagascar and Peru, two distant nations suddenly thrust into the spotlight by dramatic political upheavals. Both countries, thousands of miles apart, found themselves at the center of regional and international concern as governments toppled, protests erupted, and new leaders scrambled to restore order amid mounting uncertainty.
In Madagascar, the crisis reached a boiling point when the army seized power after President Andry Rajoelina fled the island nation. According to Daily Post, Rajoelina’s departure came after weeks of youth-led anti-government protests—dubbed the “Gen-Z” demonstrations—that swept across the capital and beyond. The protests, fueled by frustration over poor service delivery, chronic power and water shortages, and allegations of widespread corruption, had left the administration teetering on the edge for days.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT military unit, took to the airwaves to announce that a committee of senior army and police officers would govern the country in the interim. This abrupt move followed the president’s decision to dissolve the lower chamber of parliament, a last-ditch effort to maintain control that ultimately failed to quell the rising tide of discontent. Soon after, the parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina for abandoning his post, marking yet another turbulent chapter in Madagascar’s political history.
Rajoelina, now 51, is no stranger to political drama. He first seized power in 2009 through a military-backed coup before going on to win two democratic elections. Yet, the sense of hope that once accompanied his leadership has faded. As Daily Post reported, the population’s anger has been stoked by persistent economic hardship and the government’s inability to deliver basic services—a situation that left the streets of Antananarivo and other cities simmering with unrest.
With the military now in charge, uncertainty hangs in the air. The Russian government, which has long maintained diplomatic ties with Madagascar, issued a statement expressing “serious concern over the unfolding situation.” Moscow urged all parties to “exercise restraint and pursue a peaceful resolution to the crisis,” and advised Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Madagascar until stability is restored. Those already in the country were cautioned to steer clear of crowded public areas, underscoring the potential for further violence or disruption.
Meanwhile, similar scenes of political turmoil unfolded in Peru, where President Dina Boluarte was ousted following a congressional impeachment vote on October 10, 2025. The move came after months of mounting criticism over her government’s failure to curb rising crime and insecurity, issues that have plagued the country and eroded public trust. According to Daily Post, Congress President José Jerí stepped into the role of interim president and is expected to lead Peru until new elections scheduled for April 12, 2026.
Jerí wasted little time in asserting his authority. On October 14, he appointed Ernesto Alvarez, a conservative lawyer and politician, as prime minister—a move reported by Bloomberg and seen as an attempt to shore up support ahead of anti-government protests set for October 15. The country’s streets have already seen unrest, with demonstrators clashing with police during the so-called “Generation Z March” in Lima late last month. As The Economist noted in a recent newsletter, the political chaos in Peru has left many citizens uncertain about the country’s future direction.
The impeachment of Boluarte and the swift transition of power have also triggered a wave of resignations among prominent political figures. Lima’s Mayor Rafael López Aliaga and the Governor of La Libertad, César Acuña, both stepped down from their posts to contest in the upcoming presidential election. Their departures signal the high stakes and shifting alliances that characterize Peru’s volatile political landscape.
Russia, for its part, responded to the events in Peru with a measured statement, describing the country as one of its longstanding partners in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. Moscow highlighted the more than 160 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations and extended its “best wishes to the new leadership in addressing the pressing challenges facing the Republic.” While Russia emphasized that it considers the political transition an internal affair, its words carried more than a hint of watchful interest in how Peru’s crisis will unfold.
Both Madagascar and Peru now face daunting challenges as they navigate the aftermath of leadership changes and public unrest. In Madagascar, the military’s interim rule raises questions about the prospects for a return to civilian government and the fate of the “Gen-Z” movement that helped topple Rajoelina. Will the committee of senior officers deliver on promises of stability and reform, or will the island nation descend into further chaos? For many ordinary Malagasy, the answers remain frustratingly out of reach.
Peru’s path forward is equally uncertain. The appointment of a conservative prime minister ahead of planned protests suggests that Jerí’s administration is bracing for continued resistance from the streets. The Economist’s coverage of the unfolding situation points to deep-seated divisions within Peruvian society, with many citizens skeptical that new leadership alone can resolve the country’s entrenched problems. Crime, corruption, and political gridlock have long plagued Peru, and the coming months will test whether the interim government can chart a more stable course.
Internationally, the crises in Madagascar and Peru have prompted calls for restraint and dialogue. Russia’s public statements reflect a broader concern among global powers that instability in these regions could have far-reaching consequences. For Moscow, both countries represent important diplomatic partners—Madagascar in Africa, and Peru in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific. By urging peaceful resolutions and offering diplomatic support, Russia is signaling its desire to remain engaged while avoiding direct interference in domestic affairs.
As the dust settles, all eyes will be on the new leaders in Antananarivo and Lima. Can they restore order and rebuild trust, or will the cycle of unrest and upheaval continue? The coming weeks and months are likely to provide the answers, as citizens, soldiers, and politicians alike grapple with the difficult work of forging a path forward in uncertain times.
For now, the stories of Madagascar and Peru stand as stark reminders of how quickly political fortunes can shift—and how the hopes and frustrations of ordinary people can reshape the destinies of entire nations.