Peru’s president has been ousted after a congressional censure, marking the country’s eighth leadership turnover in a little over a decade of political turbulence. A 75-24 vote in Congress removed José Jerí from the presidency, just four months after he assumed the role as interim leader and two months ahead of a scheduled general election.
The motion followed allegations that Jerí met privately with Chinese business figures, including one occasion while wearing a hood, prompting an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office into possible illegal sponsorship and influence peddling.
“The presiding officers declare the office of President of the Congress of the Republic vacant, and consequently, the office of President of the Republic is vacant,” announced Fernando Rospigliosi, the acting head of Congress.
With the vacancy, the various political blocs will convene to agree on a list of candidates to preside over Congress, setting the stage for a legislative vote that will determine the next interim president.
Jerí, 39, rose to the presidency in October after becoming Speaker of Congress following the impeachment of President Dina Boluarte. Boluarte had led the executive since the 2022 impeachment and arrest of Pedro Castillo, who served about a year and a half.
The so-called “Chifa-gate” scandal centers on Jerí’s undisclosed meetings with Zhihua Yang, a Chinese businessman who holds a state-granted concession for one of his companies. Jerí has denied any wrongdoing, describing the meetings as “circumstantial” and stating that Yang never requested special favors or support.
The first meeting occurred at a Lima Chinese restaurant on December 26, and a second on January 6 at a Chinese goods shop, with Jerí arriving wearing sunglasses. Neither meeting was logged in presidential records. Last month, Jerí acknowledged the encounters and apologized for the conduct.
“I admit my mistake and publicly apologize for entering in the manner I did, hooded, and for how this has fueled suspicions and allowed for all kinds of baseless narratives,” he said.
The scandal prompted an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office into Jerí and Yang. CNN contacted Yang and the presidential office for comment.
Beyond Peru’s borders, the affair intensifies debates over how to balance China’s role as a major trade partner with the United States, which has warned about China’s expanding influence. Recently, the U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs voiced concern over reports that Peru might struggle to oversee a major port, Chancay, allegedly controlled by “predatory” Chinese owners. The bureau advocated Peru’s sovereign right to manage critical infrastructure while warning that reliance on cheap Chinese capital can erode sovereignty.
Jerí’s ouster adds to a long list of Peruvian presidents and ex-presidents entangled in corruption or human rights accusations, a phenomenon some commentators describe as a recurring “curse” of the Peruvian presidency. Since 2000, multiple leaders have faced trials or investigations, and a few have died amid investigations. Critics point to lingering systemic issues that fuel repeated political crises, while supporters argue for reforms to stabilize governance.
The country is expected to vote on April 12 for a general election. This is an evolving story, and updates will follow.
CNN journalists Michael Rios, Hira Humayun, and Jimena De La Quintana contributed to this report.
