On October 10, 2025, Peru’s political landscape shifted dramatically as Congress voted overwhelmingly—122 out of 130 lawmakers—to impeach President Dina Boluarte on grounds of “permanent moral incapacity.” This late-night decision, made after a flurry of heated debates and public outcry, marked the end of Boluarte’s tumultuous tenure and set the stage for the rapid ascent of José Jeri, a 38-year-old conservative lawmaker, to the presidency. The events that unfolded in Lima reverberated far beyond the halls of Congress, drawing international attention and sparking reactions from global leaders, including Pope Leo XIV.
Boluarte’s time in office was anything but smooth. Rising to the presidency in December 2022 after her predecessor Pedro Castillo was removed for attempting to dissolve Congress, she became Peru’s first female president. Yet, her administration was marred by scandal, controversy, and a steady drumbeat of public protests. Approval ratings for Boluarte hovered dismally between two and four percent, making her one of the world’s most unpopular leaders, according to BBC and Reuters. Her government faced a barrage of investigations, including the high-profile “Rolexgate” corruption probe, and a deadly crackdown on Castillo supporters that left more than 50 dead in early 2023. The public’s anger only grew as crime surged, culminating in a shooting at a Lima concert on the very night Congress convened to debate her removal.
Outside Congress, the mood was electric. Protesters, many waving Peruvian flags, erupted in cheers as the news of Boluarte’s impeachment broke. In a televised address, the ousted president questioned the implications for Peru’s democracy, stating, “At all times I have called for unity. In this context, I had not thought of myself but of the more than 34 million Peruvians who deserve better.” But for many, her words rang hollow after years of political turbulence, economic insecurity, and a relentless rise in gang violence.
With no vice president in office, the line of succession pointed to José Jeri, who had become president of Congress just months earlier in July 2025. Sworn in as interim president on October 11, Jeri became the seventh person to hold Peru’s highest office in just nine years—a testament to the nation’s chronic political instability. His first address to Congress left no doubt about his priorities: “The main enemy is out there on the streets: criminal gangs,” he declared, vowing to “declare war on crime.”
Jeri wasted no time backing up his words with action. On October 11, in one of his first acts as president, he led a series of dramatic raids on prisons across Peru, targeting gang leaders and seeking to send a clear message. According to the Associated Press, Jeri personally oversaw cell-to-cell searches at Lima’s Ancón I maximum-security facility, flanked by elite officers and projecting a tough-on-crime image. Authorities reported the discovery of smuggled cellphones, drugs, and makeshift weapons. Simultaneous raids unfolded at Lurigancho, Challapalca, and El Milagro prisons, underscoring the new administration’s resolve.
Peru’s crime problem is, by any measure, daunting. Homicides soared to 2,082 last year—half of them contract killings—up from just 676 in 2017. Extortion cases have climbed sharply as criminal gangs extract “protection” fees from businesses ranging from music bands to transport companies. The insecurity crisis has been exacerbated by years of political turmoil, with three presidents impeached and two more resigning since 2018 to avoid removal.
Jeri’s personal story is as complex as the challenges facing his administration. Born to a middle-class family in Lima, he graduated from Federico Villarreal National University in 2014 and earned a law degree while becoming active in the Somos Peru party. His path to power was marked by setbacks—two failed municipal runs and an unsuccessful 2021 congressional bid—before he eventually filled the seat of disqualified party member Martin Vizcarra. In January 2025, Jeri faced a sexual assault accusation stemming from a December 2024 party, but the attorney general shelved the case in August for lack of evidence. He also denies allegations, reported by local media, that he solicited payments for political favors, stating his willingness to cooperate with any investigation.
Political analysts have noted that Jeri’s relative inexperience could leave him vulnerable to manipulation by more seasoned lawmakers. As Nicholas Watson of Teneo consultancy told Reuters, “There are legitimate fears that Jeri could be open to manipulation from powerful parties in Congress. But first, he needs to survive any protests that occur in the next few days.” The precedent is sobering: Manuel Merino, another congressional president elevated after an impeachment in 2020, lasted only five days before public pressure forced him out.
Indeed, the specter of further unrest loomed large as anti-government groups planned fresh demonstrations for October 15. These protests, initially directed at Boluarte’s unpopular pension reforms, now threatened to test Jeri’s ability to maintain order and credibility. The challenge is formidable: Peruvians have grown weary of revolving-door leadership and the sense that entrenched elites are out of touch with everyday concerns.
Internationally, the crisis in Peru has not gone unnoticed. On October 12, Pope Leo XIV—himself a naturalized Peruvian citizen since 2015—addressed the situation during Mass in St. Peter’s Square. “I am close to the dear people of Peru at this time of political transition. I pray that Peru may continue on the path of reconciliation, dialogue, and national unity,” he said, as reported by Aleteia. The Pope’s words echoed his broader calls for peace in other troubled regions, including Gaza and Ukraine, where he has advocated for dialogue and an end to violence.
The coming months will be critical for Jeri and for Peru. The interim president is set to lead the country until July 2026, with general elections scheduled for April. Whether he can restore stability, curb crime, and regain public trust remains to be seen. For now, Peru stands at a crossroads, its future uncertain but its need for unity and effective leadership more urgent than ever.
As the dust settles on one of the most dramatic weeks in recent Peruvian history, the nation watches closely—hoping that this time, change will bring not just new faces, but real progress.
