In a dramatic turn of events, Peru has once again found itself at the crossroads of political upheaval. Just six months shy of the next presidential elections, the South American nation is grappling with the aftermath of President Dina Boluarte's impeachment—an event that unfolded with remarkable speed and, for many Peruvians, a sense of weary familiarity.
On October 10, 2025, Peru’s Congress voted decisively to remove Boluarte from office, citing her "permanent moral incapacity." The tally: 122 votes in favor, a clear signal of the deep dissatisfaction that had spread across party lines, including among lawmakers who had once stood by her. According to AFP, the impeachment came on the heels of a shocking gun attack on a group of cumbia musicians performing in Lima—a violent episode seen as the tipping point after a rash of assaults on performers and business owners by extortion gangs.
Unlike the tumultuous ouster of her predecessor Pedro Castillo in December 2022, which ignited deadly protests and left over 50 people dead, Boluarte’s removal was met with a striking absence of public outcry. Instead, dozens gathered outside parliament to celebrate. One protestor’s sign read simply, “Down with Dina.” On the streets of Lima, the mood was more one of relief than rage. Teacher Juan Carlos Quesquen summed up the sentiment, expressing hope that "social conflicts"—a reference to recurring strikes and anti-government demonstrations—would now be better managed.
Boluarte’s presidency, which began in December 2022 after Castillo’s failed bid to dissolve Congress, was dogged from the outset. She was the third president in nine years to be ousted by Congress, and her term was marred by scandals, corruption probes, and a relentless surge in violent crime. Among the most damaging allegations was the so-called “Rolexgate” scandal, in which she was accused of failing to declare gifts of luxury jewels and watches. In July, she further inflamed public anger by awarding herself a substantial pay increase. Throughout, Boluarte maintained her innocence, insisting in a video statement after the impeachment vote, “At all times, I called for unity... I did not think about myself, but about the more than 34 million Peruvians.”
Yet, the charges against her proved difficult to shake. Lawmakers and citizens alike pointed to the sharp rise in extortion and gang-related violence as evidence of her administration’s failings. Congresswoman Norma Yarrow of the Popular Renewal party was blunt in her assessment: “The country has been mistreated by the cabinet and the president. Extortion and crime have increased... She deserves punishment.”
Boluarte’s legal troubles may only be beginning. With her presidential immunity now gone, she faces the real prospect of criminal prosecution. Her lawyer, Juan Carlos Portugal, argued that she was denied due process, claiming she had too little time to prepare for the late-night congressional summons. But for many in Congress, the urgency of the moment outweighed procedural niceties. The impeachment proceedings were set in motion late Thursday, and Boluarte, declining to appear before lawmakers at the scheduled 11:30 pm hearing, was removed from office moments later.
In the immediate aftermath, the 38-year-old head of Peru’s legislature, Jose Jeri, was sworn in as president. Tasked with leading the country until elections in April 2026, Jeri wasted no time in setting the tone for his interim administration. "The main enemy is outside, in the streets -- the criminal gangs, the crime groups... we must declare war on them," he declared, signaling a hardline approach to the spiraling violence that has gripped the nation.
Jeri’s vow to crack down on organized crime comes at a critical juncture. Over the past six months, Lima has been rocked by repeated protests—not only over violent crime but also over a controversial law requiring young people to contribute to private pension funds, despite rampant job insecurity and an unofficial employment rate exceeding 70 percent. The unrest has been fueled by a generation of “Gen Z” protesters, whose frustration with the political establishment has only grown amid economic uncertainty and the perception of governmental indifference.
Boluarte’s downfall is the latest chapter in a saga of political instability that has seen Peru cycle through seven presidents in just nine years. Of those, three—including Boluarte—have been removed by Congress, two resigned before facing impeachment, and only one managed to complete an interim term. The pattern has left many Peruvians with a sense of déjà vu and deep skepticism about the country’s political institutions.
The shadow of corruption looms large over Peruvian politics. Boluarte joins a growing list of former leaders entangled in legal woes. Two ex-presidents, Alejandro Toledo and Ollanta Humala, are currently serving sentences for corruption in a special prison east of Lima. Pedro Castillo, her immediate predecessor, is also being held there while awaiting trial. For Boluarte, the end of her presidency may well mark the beginning of a lengthy legal battle.
Despite her unpopularity, Boluarte managed to weather several previous attempts to remove her from office. But the convergence of scandals, public frustration, and a dramatic surge in violence ultimately proved insurmountable. The gun attack on musicians in Lima, widely seen as the final straw, underscored the government’s inability to curb the power of extortion gangs—a threat that has left ordinary Peruvians feeling vulnerable and angry.
As the dust settles, all eyes are on President Jeri and his promise to restore order. His administration faces an uphill battle: not only must it confront the immediate crisis of violent crime, but it must also work to rebuild public trust in a political system that has become synonymous with instability and scandal. The task is daunting, and the clock is ticking—Peruvians will return to the polls in just six months.
For now, the streets of Lima are quieter than they were after previous impeachments, but the underlying tensions remain. Whether Jeri can deliver on his pledge to “declare war” on organized crime—and whether Peru can finally break free from its cycle of political turmoil—remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the nation stands at yet another pivotal moment, with its future hanging in the balance.
