Peru's Congress voted on Tuesday to remove interim President Jose Jeri from office after just four months, plunging the South American nation deeper into political turmoil. Lawmakers approved the censure motion with 75 votes in favor, 24 against and three abstentions, making Jeri the seventh president in roughly a decade to be forced out of power. The removal was triggered by the so-called Chifagate scandal, which erupted last month after Peruvian media released video footage showing Jeri attending secret late-night meetings with a Chinese businessman at a restaurant in Lima.
The scandal takes its name from the Peruvian slang term chifa, which refers to Chinese restaurants that are a staple of the country's culinary scene. Security camera footage revealed Jeri arriving at the establishment wearing informal clothing, including a deep hoodie that partially obscured his face, in an apparent attempt to avoid recognition. The meetings with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang, who owns stores and holds a concession for an energy project in Peru, were never disclosed on the official presidential agenda as required by law. A third businessman, Jiwu Xiaodong, who had been placed under house arrest for alleged involvement in illegal activities, was also reportedly present at one of the gatherings.
Jeri, a right-wing politician who previously served as head of Congress, assumed the presidency in October 2025 after his predecessor Dina Boluarte was also impeached and removed from office amid a worsening security crisis. Boluarte herself had taken over from Pedro Castillo, who was ousted in December 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress. The revolving door of presidents has become a defining feature of Peruvian politics, with the country now having had its eighth head of state in as many years, undermining institutional stability and public trust in the democratic process.
Beyond the Chifagate affair, Jeri faced additional accusations including allegations of sexual assault dating back to December 2024 and questions about meetings with women who subsequently received government contracts. Lawmaker Ruth Luque stated during the congressional debate that the nation needed leadership focused on the public interest and security, rejecting administrations marked by hidden interests and secret meetings. The censure vote required only a simple majority rather than the 87-vote threshold needed for a formal impeachment proceeding.
Following the removal, Fernando Rospigliosi, the current head of Congress, declined to assume the presidency as would be customary under the constitutional line of succession. Legislators announced they would elect a new congressional president on Wednesday evening who would automatically become the interim head of state. The new leader will serve until July 28, 2026, when power is scheduled to be transferred to whichever candidate wins the general election set for April 12.
Despite the chronic political instability, Peru's economy has shown remarkable resilience, recording growth of 3.4 percent in 2025. However, analysts warn that the constant leadership changes have hampered efforts to address pressing issues including rising crime rates, extortion and public insecurity that have plagued the country in recent years. The upcoming April elections represent what many Peruvians hope will be an opportunity to break the cycle of presidential removals and install a leader who can serve a full term, though confidence in the political establishment remains at historic lows across the nation.
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