Peru Ousts 3rd President in a Row

Peru is about to get its eighth president in eight years. Congress on Tuesday voted 75-24 to oust Interim President José Jerí, just four months into his term, over undisclosed late-night meetings with a Chinese businessman at a Lima restaurant—an affair Peruvians have dubbed "Chifagate" after a name given to local Chinese-Peruvian eateries, per the BBC. Jerí faced an investigation into corruption and influence peddling over the meetings with Zhihua Yang, a business owner with a state concession for an energy project, per the AP. Footage showed Jerí wearing a hood as he arrived to meet the businessman on one occasion, per NBC News. Another Chinese citizen on house arrest while under investigation for ties to an illegal logging operation was present for one of the meetings.

Rather than a full impeachment, lawmakers used a censure vote to strip Jerí of his role as head of Congress, which automatically ends his presidency; Jerí said he would accept the result. With current congressional leader Fernando Rospigliosi refusing to step into the presidency, legislators now must pick a new head of Congress, who will also become interim president ahead of April 12 elections. A vote is set for Wednesday. Jerí is the third straight president removed by Congress, reflecting a political class that analysts say is more focused on electoral maneuvering than addressing crime and corruption. Jerí's predecessor, Dina Boluarte, was removed amid widespread anger over crime. Despite the revolving door at the top, Peru's economy has held up, posting 3.4% growth in 2025.