Peru Political Shift Amid Crisis: Leadership Change and Crackdown on Crime
Peru faces a political shift as Dina Boluarte is ousted and Jose Jerí pledges a crackdown on crime amid corruption and polarization.
**Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra**, born May 31, 1962, in Chalhuanca, Apurímac, Peru, is a lawyer and politician who served as Peru's first female president from December 7, 2022, to October 10, 2025.[1][2][3] Elected in 2021 as the running mate of Pedro Castillo on the Free Peru Party ticket, she assumed roles as vice president and Minister of Development and Social Inclusion following his victory.[3][5] Boluarte's presidency began abruptly after Congress removed Castillo from office for attempting a self-coup by dissolving Congress, leading to his arrest.[1][2][4] Sworn in on December 7, 2022, she called for national unity, a political truce, and anti-corruption efforts while seeking support from centrist and right-wing parliamentary groups.[1][3] Her term, originally set to end in July 2026, faced immediate challenges including widespread protests, political polarization, rising crime, and gang violence.[2][3][6] Her administration survived eight impeachment attempts amid low approval ratings in single digits and controversies, such as a decree doubling her salary.[2][3] Critics highlighted over 50 protester deaths during her tenure and accusations of democratic backsliding, including anti-NGO legislation and executive power consolidation with Congress.[6] Ongoing corruption probes targeted her and allies, including raids on her home.[6] On October 10, 2025, Congress impeached and removed Boluarte in a unanimous 122-0 vote for "permanent moral incapacity," marking her as Peru's sixth president in under five years.[1][2][3] Congress President José Jerí succeeded her.[2] Prior to national office, Boluarte ran unsuccessfully for local and congressional seats in 2018 and 2020.[3] Her tenure underscored Peru's institutional instability.[1][4] (298 words)
Peru faces a political shift as Dina Boluarte is ousted and Jose Jerí pledges a crackdown on crime amid corruption and polarization.
Peru's Congress ousts Dina Boluarte as José Jeri takes office amid turmoil, vowing to wage a war on crime.