In a dramatic overnight session, Peru’s Congress voted overwhelmingly to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, citing “permanent moral incapacity.” The decision, supported by 122 of 130 lawmakers, follows months of unrest, corruption scandals, and plummeting public trust in the embattled leader.
Boluarte, who had one of the lowest approval ratings in the world at just 2–4%, was Peru’s first female president and its sixth leader since 2018. Her turbulent tenure, marked by frequent protests, violent crime surges, and political scandal, ended in the early hours of Friday, October 10, 2025.
In a televised address following her ouster, Boluarte questioned the impact of the move on Peru’s fragile democracy, saying she had always sought “unity” and worked for “the more than 34 million Peruvians who deserve better.”
Outside Congress, crowds erupted in cheers as the result was announced. Jose Jeri, Congress leader, was sworn in as interim president shortly thereafter. Peru currently has no vice-president.
Boluarte’s presidency was dogged by multiple investigations, including the so-called “Rolexgate” corruption probe and allegations that she failed to fulfill constitutional duties during a medical absence. In July 2025, she faced widespread outrage for approving a salary increase nearly 35 times the minimum wage, a move many saw as out of touch amid economic hardship.
Her removal came amid renewed national anger following a shooting at a concert in Lima and ahead of the April 2026 elections. Even factions once loyal to Boluarte joined opposition lawmakers in supporting her impeachment, with Congresswoman Susel Paredes declaring, “The only way of moving forward is Dina Boluarte’s impeachment.”
Boluarte had assumed office in December 2022 after the impeachment and arrest of then-President Pedro Castillo, her former running mate. Her administration was soon accused of excessive use of force during protests, leading to more than 50 deaths and hundreds of demonstrations across the country.
As Peru faces yet another transition, the Andean nation continues to grapple with political instability—three former presidents remain behind bars, and public faith in its institutions is at a historic low.
