BREAKING: Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has been ousted from office following a dramatic late-night congressional vote on July 15, 2023. This urgent decision comes amid mounting scandals and widespread allegations of corruption, including accusations of bribery and a deadly crackdown on protesters last year that resulted in the deaths of more than 60 people.
In a powerful show of bipartisan support for her removal, Congress cited Boluarte’s “permanent moral incapacity” to effectively govern amid escalating organized crime. José Jerí Oré, the 38-year-old President of Congress, will serve as interim president and is now tasked with calling for new elections, in accordance with the constitution.
The ousting of Boluarte marks yet another chapter in Peru’s turbulent political history, where since the year 2000, seven presidents have faced legal challenges due to corruption or human rights abuses. The political landscape has been notably unstable, with Boluarte herself taking office as the first female president after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was impeached and arrested for attempting to dissolve Congress.
Boluarte’s presidency has been marred by scandal, with serious allegations surfacing over her administration’s handling of protests that erupted after Castillo’s ouster. Critics have accused her of accepting luxury gifts, including Rolex watches, as bribes. Perhaps most controversially, she has faced backlash for allegedly abandoning her duties to undergo plastic surgery in early 2023 without informing Congress or delegating her powers, a move she defended as “essential” for her health. However, the surgeon involved has stated the procedures were purely cosmetic.
Even former allies, such as the conservative Popular Renewal and Popular Force, have turned against her in recent weeks, joining the call for her removal, as reported by Reuters. This shift underscores the growing discontent among Peruvian lawmakers and the public regarding her leadership.
Adding to the turmoil, Peru has been grappling with a significant security crisis, which led to a state of emergency in the capital and the province of Callao earlier this year. The surge in crime was exacerbated by the tragic murder of a beloved musician, further highlighting the challenges Boluarte faced in her presidency.
As Peru navigates this political upheaval, all eyes will be on the interim leadership of Jerí Oré and the path forward for the nation. With elections on the horizon, the implications of Boluarte’s ousting could reshape the future of Peruvian politics.
This developing story remains fluid, and updates are expected as new information emerges. Stay tuned for further details on the unfolding situation in Peru.