On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Peru’s political landscape underwent a seismic shift as President Dina Boluarte was ousted from office following a late-night congressional vote. The decision, which saw an overwhelming majority of lawmakers from across the political spectrum unite in their call for her removal, marked a dramatic end to Boluarte’s tumultuous presidency. Citing “permanent moral incapacity” to lead the nation in the face of escalating organized crime, Congress voted to remove her, paving the way for José Jerí Oré, the 38-year-old president of Congress, to assume the role of interim president. Under Peru’s constitution, Jerí Oré is now tasked with calling for new elections to restore stability to a nation battered by political scandals and social unrest.
Boluarte’s removal is the latest chapter in Peru’s long history of political turmoil, a country where leadership crises have become almost routine. Since the turn of the millennium, Peru has seen no fewer than seven presidents face trials or legal challenges over allegations of corruption or human rights abuses. One former president, Alan García, took his own life in 2019 as police closed in to arrest him. Boluarte, who made history in 2022 as Peru’s first female president, now joins this ignominious list of disgraced leaders, her presidency unraveling under the weight of multiple scandals and widespread public discontent.
The road to Boluarte’s ouster began long before the congressional vote. For months, she had been under intense scrutiny, facing a barrage of allegations that ranged from bribery to complicity in a deadly crackdown on protesters. The most serious of these accusations stem from the violent suppression of protests that erupted in late 2022, following the impeachment and arrest of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo. Castillo, a leftist former schoolteacher, had sparked a constitutional crisis when he attempted to dissolve Congress and establish an emergency government, a move that led to his swift removal and arrest. Boluarte, then vice president, ascended to the presidency in the wake of this upheaval, stepping into a deeply polarized and volatile political environment.
The protests that followed Castillo’s ouster were among the deadliest in recent Peruvian history. Demonstrators, many of whom were from marginalized rural and Indigenous communities, took to the streets to demand Castillo’s release, Boluarte’s resignation, and new elections. The government’s response was swift and brutal, with security forces deploying lethal force to quell the unrest. According to human rights organizations, more than 60 people lost their lives during the crackdown, with hundreds more injured. The deaths sparked outrage both domestically and internationally, with critics accusing Boluarte of authorizing excessive force and failing to address the underlying grievances of the protesters. Investigations into her role in the crackdown have been ongoing, with prosecutors examining whether she bears direct responsibility for the loss of life.
In addition to the human rights allegations, Boluarte faced a series of corruption scandals that further eroded her credibility. One of the most high-profile accusations involved her alleged acceptance of luxury Rolex watches and other jewelry as bribes. The so-called “Rolexgate” scandal, as it came to be known, became a symbol of the perceived excesses of her administration. Critics pointed to the lavish gifts as evidence of corruption at the highest levels of government, particularly in a country where economic inequality and poverty remain pervasive. Boluarte also faced accusations of using a presidential vehicle to transport a fugitive politician, an act that raised questions about her judgment and commitment to the rule of law.
Despite the mounting allegations, Boluarte steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. In public statements, she dismissed the accusations as politically motivated attempts to undermine her presidency. She refused to attend the congressional vote on October 9, a decision that many interpreted as an act of defiance but one that ultimately did little to sway the outcome. The vote to remove her was decisive, reflecting a rare moment of unity among Peru’s fractured political factions. Lawmakers from both the left and right, who often find themselves at odds, agreed that Boluarte’s leadership had become untenable in the face of the country’s growing challenges, including the rise of organized crime and deepening public distrust in government institutions.
The decision to cite “permanent moral incapacity” as the basis for her removal is significant. In Peru’s political system, this constitutional clause has been used sparingly but carries profound implications. It signals not only a loss of confidence in the president’s ability to govern but also a judgment on their ethical fitness to lead. For Boluarte, the invocation of this clause underscores the gravity of the allegations against her and the extent to which her presidency had become a lightning rod for controversy.
With Boluarte’s removal, the responsibility of steering Peru through this latest crisis falls to José Jerí Oré, a relatively young and untested figure in Peruvian politics. As interim president, Jerí Oré faces the daunting task of restoring stability to a nation weary of political dysfunction. Under the constitution, he is required to call for new elections, a process that could take months to organize and is likely to be fraught with challenges. Peru’s political parties, which span a wide ideological spectrum, are already jockeying for position, with many hoping to capitalize on the public’s frustration with the status quo. The interim president will also need to address the underlying issues that fueled the protests of 2022, including economic inequality, regional disparities, and distrust in democratic institutions.
Boluarte’s ouster is emblematic of a broader crisis in Peruvian governance. The country’s political system has been plagued by instability for decades, with frequent turnovers in leadership and a persistent inability to address systemic issues. Since 2000, Peru has cycled through presidents at an alarming rate, with each administration seemingly unable to escape the shadow of scandal. The reasons for this instability are complex, rooted in a combination of weak institutions, entrenched corruption, and deep social divides. Peru’s economy, while growing steadily in recent decades, has failed to deliver equitable benefits to its citizens, particularly those in rural and Indigenous communities. This economic disparity has fueled resentment and distrust, creating fertile ground for political upheaval.
The protests of 2022, which played a pivotal role in Boluarte’s downfall, were not just a reaction to Castillo’s impeachment but a broader expression of frustration with a political system that many Peruvians view as unresponsive and elitist. The violent response to those protests only deepened the sense of alienation, particularly in regions far from the capital, Lima, where the government’s authority is often viewed with skepticism. For many Peruvians, Boluarte’s presidency came to symbolize the disconnect between the country’s political elite and its most vulnerable citizens.
As Peru looks ahead to new elections, the challenges facing the country are immense. The rise of organized crime, which Congress cited as a key factor in Boluarte’s removal, poses a growing threat to public safety and economic stability. Drug trafficking, illegal mining, and other illicit activities have flourished in recent years, exploiting Peru’s weak governance and porous borders. Addressing these issues will require not only political will but also a concerted effort to rebuild trust in institutions that have been eroded by years of scandal and mismanagement.
For now, the focus is on José Jerí Oré and his interim administration. At 38, he is one of the youngest leaders to assume the presidency in Peru’s history, and his relative lack of experience may be both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, he faces the immense pressure of governing a deeply divided nation; on the other, his youth and outsider status could allow him to chart a new course, free from the baggage of Peru’s political old guard. How he navigates this critical juncture will likely shape the country’s trajectory in the months and years to come.
Boluarte’s fall from grace is a stark reminder of the fragility of Peru’s democracy. Her presidency, which began with such historic promise, ended in ignominy, adding yet another chapter to the country’s long saga of political dysfunction. As Peruvians await the next election, there is hope that new leadership can break the cycle of scandal and instability—but history suggests that such optimism may be hard-won. For now, the nation holds its breath, watching as its interim leader takes the helm of a country in desperate need of renewal.
