In the early hours of October 10, 2025, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte was removed from office by the Congress of the Republic. Pursuant to Article 115 of the Peruvian Constitution, the presidency was assumed by José Jerí, President of Congress. Since the general elections have already been called, there will be no early elections, and Jerí will complete the presidential term on July 28, 2026.
For the past couple of months, Boularte had been under investigation for months over various allegations, including bribery and involvement in a deadly crackdown on protestors in 2022. Boularte has denied all allegations and refused to attend the vote where Congress approved her removal, citing “permanent moral incapacity.”
Following the vacancy of President Dina Boluarte, José Enrique Jerí Oré, President of the Congress of the Republic and first in the presidential line of succession, was sworn in as President by constitutional succession. Jerí ran for Congress representing Lima in the 2021 parliamentary elections and secured a seat after the disqualification of former President Martín Vizcarra. As a legislator, he served as spokesperson for his party and chaired the Budget Committee (2023–2024). On July 26, 2025, he was elected President of the Congress of the Republic.
Timeline of events
- Following the attack against the musical group “Agua Marina” in Chorrillos, public outrage escalated quickly. Congress echoed this sentiment and initiated an impeachment process against the president.
- Over the course of the afternoon, four motions for impeachment against President Boluarte were filed.
- Around 10 p.m., all four motions were admitted for debate by the full Congress.
- According to procedure, President Boluarte was summoned for 11:30 p.m. She did not attend, nor did her lawyer appear before the plenary. Subsequently, the impeachment motion was voted on.
- Therefore, in a marathonic and expedited session that began on Thursday, October 9, and ended in the early hours of Friday, October 10, President Dina Boluarte Zegarra was removed from office with 123 votes in favor, 0 abstentions, and 0 votes against.
- After midnight, Dina Boluarte delivered an unusual televised address from the Government Palace, in which she summarized her administration’s supposed achievements. The entire Cabinet of Ministers was present during the address.
- A motion of censure against the Congressional Leadership was introduced but failed.
Immediately afterward, a special session of Congress was convened. By presidential succession, the President of Congress, José Enrique Jerí Oré, assumed the presidency of the Republic.
Background: Peru—a country with chronic Presidential instability
Dina Boularte became the latest in a long line of removed Peruvian leaders. In the 21st century, seven presidents have been brought to trial or faced legal challenges related to allegations of corruption or human rights abuses. In the past, the mechanism of presidential removal was used on the following Presidents:
- Alberto Fujimori (November 2000): After resigning by fax from Tokyo (Japan), the Peruvian Congress declared the presidency vacant on grounds of moral incapacity on November 21. Congressman Valentín Paniagua Corazao assumed the presidency after the resignation of both vice presidents and the censure of the Congressional Board led by Martha Hildebrandt. Since Fujimori had already called for general elections, the electoral calendar proceeded as planned.
- Pedro Pablo Kuczynski—PPK (March 2018): Following the release of recordings revealing a vote-trading scandal in Congress, Kuczynski’s removal appeared imminent. He resigned on March 23, 2018, before the vote took place. He was succeeded by First Vice President Martín Vizcarra.
- Martín Vizcarra—Dissolution of Congress (September 2019): Amid a power struggle over the appointment of Constitutional Court justices, Vizcarra dissolved Congress, citing a “de facto denial” of a vote of confidence. Congress attempted to suspend Vizcarra and swore in Vice President Mercedes Aráoz, without success. Aráoz later resigned, and Vizcarra remained in office.
- Martín Vizcarra (November 2020): Vizcarra was impeached over alleged corruption during his tenure as governor of Moquegua (2011–2014). He was succeeded by Congressional President Manuel Merino, whose brief tenure sparked nationwide protests that left two dead. Merino resigned after five days, and Congressman Francisco Sagasti became president to complete PPK’s original term.
- Pedro Castillo (December 2022): Facing an impeachment vote, Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress and initiate a “national reorganization.” After being rejected and detained, he was removed by Congress on grounds of rebellion and succeeded by Dina Boluarte.
Who is Dina Boluarte? An unpopular President sustained by a Congressional “pact”
Dina Boluarte was Pedro Castillo’s running mate in the 2021 general elections. Initially a candidate for the second vice presidency, she became the sole Vice President after the disqualification of Perú Libre’s leader, Vladimir Cerrón, by the National Jury of Elections (JNE). She also served as Minister of Development and Social Inclusion during most of Castillo’s administration.
After Castillo’s failed coup attempt and removal in December 2022, Boluarte assumed the presidency. The move triggered nationwide protests that left 50 civilians dead, mostly in the southern regions where Castillo’s ouster was seen as illegitimate. Boluarte remains under investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, though most constitutional complaints against her have been dismissed by Congress.
Her government has been deeply unpopular. According to an Ipsos poll in September 2025, only 3% of Peruvians approved of her presidency, while 96% disapproved. Her administration’s stability depended entirely on her transactional relationship with Congress, which found her government useful for advancing its agenda without meaningful executive oversight.
Why Now? Citizen insecurity and government indifference as key triggers
Extortion in Peru has increased 478% since 2019, severely affecting transport workers, merchants, and business owners, particularly in Lima, La Libertad, Piura, Lambayeque, and Callao. Homicides have also surged dramatically—according to SINADEF, 2025 is the most violent year since 2017, with 575 murders recorded between July and September, the highest quarterly figure in a decade. This trend began under Castillo and continued during Boluarte’s presidency.
In the week leading up to Boluarte’s removal, two key events fueled public outrage:
- October 6, 2025: Lima and Callao saw a massive transport strike protesting rising murders and extortions of drivers—already over 45 victims since 2024. The strike involved blockades, clashes with police, and school closures. The government, particularly Boluarte, downplayed the protests, worsening public anger after she suggested citizens avoid answering calls from unknown numbers to prevent extortion.
- October 8, 2025: The popular band Agua Marina, known for its criticism of extortion, suffered an attack during a concert in Chorrillos, Lima. The incident sparked widespread outrage and catalyzed the impeachment process.
What happens next?
Under Article 115 of the Peruvian Constitution, in the absence of vice presidents, Congress President José Jerí Oré (Somos Perú) has assumed the presidency of the Republic. As a result, Congress First Vice President Fernando Rospigliosi Capurro (Fuerza Popular—Fujimorism) has taken over as President of Congress, ensuring continuity in the country’s leadership structure without the need for new elections.
The current electoral process remains active, so no early elections are required. President Jerí Oré will serve out the remainder of the term, which ends on July 28, 2026. This transition follows constitutional procedures and aims to maintain political stability during the ongoing electoral cycle.
Materials presented by Edelman’s Public & Government Affairs experts. For additional information, reach out to Jose.Cabrejos@Edelman.com
