Peru's already precarious political environment has been further destabilised by the swift impeachment and removal of interim President José Jerí. The Peruvian Congress decisively voted to oust Jerí, who had occupied the nation's highest office for a mere four months, amidst allegations of clandestine meetings with Chinese businessmen. This latest upheaval marks the third consecutive presidential ousting, highlighting a pervasive pattern of executive instability that has plagued the Andean nation recently.
The impeachment proceedings, described by acting speaker Fernando Rospigliosi as an "express impeachment," were initiated by accusations that Jerí failed to disclose crucial encounters with foreign nationals. Most notably, these involved Chinese businessman Yang Zhihua, also known as "Johnny." Security camera footage purportedly captured Jerí engaging in secretive meetings outside his official duties, a controversy that has been rapidly dubbed "Chifa-gate." The clandestine nature of these meetings, exacerbated by Jerí's alleged appearance in a hooded top, raised serious questions regarding transparency and potential undue influence.
Adding further complexity, another Chinese national, Ji Wu Xiaodong, was reportedly present at one of these undisclosed gatherings. Xiaodong is currently under house arrest and faces accusations of involvement in an illegal timber-trafficking network. Although Jerí has vehemently denied any impropriety, attributing the accusations to a politically motivated smear campaign, the revelations have severely eroded public trust. His approval ratings have reportedly plummeted, prompting political parties to distance themselves as the nation prepares for presidential elections scheduled for April.
This latest presidential turnover is symptomatic of Peru's chronic political fragility. Jerí's tenure followed that of former leader Dina Boluarte, who herself was impeached last October. The nation has witnessed a dizzying succession of leaders since 2016, underscoring the recurrent instability. Analysts attribute this partly to Peru's robust parliamentary system, which often wields significant power over a comparatively weaker executive branch.
In the immediate aftermath of Jerí's ousting, Peru is set to convene to elect yet another interim president, a procedural necessity given the impending April elections. Meanwhile, prosecutors have already launched a preliminary investigation into allegations of influence-peddling stemming from Jerí's undisclosed meetings. The persistent cycle of presidential departures leaves many questioning the long-term prospects for effective governance in Peru.