Peru’s impeached interim president Jose Jeri (C) gestures with his cabinet as they leave the government building in Lima on February 17, 2026. | Photo credit: AFP
Peru’s Congress on Tuesday (Feb 17, 2026) impeached interim President Jose Xeri, the Latin American country’s seventh head of state in 10 years and only the latest to be ousted over graft claims.
Mr. Jeri, 39, has been accused of illegally employing several women in his government and of suspected corruption involving a Chinese businessman.
In office since last October, Mr. Jeri took over from unpopular leader Dina Boluarte, who was impeached amid protests against corruption and violence linked to organized crime.
Prosecutors last week launched an investigation into whether the “head of state exercised undue influence” in government appointments.
Mr. Jeri protested his innocence.
Mr. Jeri — head of Peru’s unicameral parliament — last year Ms. Appointed for the remainder of Boluarte’s term, which runs until July, the new president will take over after elections on April 12.
He was constitutionally barred from going to the polls.
Mr. Jeri focused on allegations revealed by the investigative TV program Cuerto Poder that five women were improperly offered jobs in the presidential office and the environment ministry after meeting Mr. Jeri.
Prosecutors said there were actually nine women.
Mr. Govt is also facing charges of “illegal sponsorship of interests” after a secret meeting with a Chinese businessman with business ties to the government. Jeri is under investigation.
Organizational crisis
Some observers suggested that Mr. Jeri was likely to be politicized in the weeks before the election, for which 30 candidates – a record – threw their hats into the ring.
Rafael López Aliaga, the candidate of the right-wing Popular Renewal Party, who is leading in opinion polls, is among those calling for Mr. Zeri’s ouster.
The Congress will now elect its own new leader on Wednesday to replace the caretaker of the post. The president of the new parliament will automatically take over as Peru’s interim president until July.
Four congressmen are registered to vote in 2021, including Maria del Carmen Alva, former president of Congress and member of the Popular Action Party.
Her opponents include leftist congressman Jose Balcazar, prominent socialist Edgar Raymundo and corruption-tainted party representative Hector Acuna.
“It is difficult to find an alternative with political legitimacy in the current Congress, with evidence of mediocrity and strong suspicions of widespread corruption,” said political analyst Augusto Alvarez. AFP.
Peru has now fired seven presidents since 2016, many of whom were impeached, tried or convicted of wrongdoing.
The South American country has also seen violence that has claimed dozens of lives, particularly bus drivers – some who have been shot at the wheel when their companies refuse to pay protection money.
Within two years, the number of reported extortion cases in Peru increased tenfold – from 2,396 to 25,000 in 2025.
Published – February 18, 2026 09:13 am IST
