Peru's President Boluarte Impeached Amid Crime Crisis

Peruvian Congress Removes Unpopular President

In a dramatic late-night session, Peru's Congress has voted overwhelmingly to impeach President Dina Boluarte, removing her from office amid a severe crime wave and political turmoil. The historic vote saw lawmakers from across the political spectrum unite to oust one of the world's most unpopular leaders.

Crime Crisis Forces Political Action

The impeachment came as Peru faces escalating security challenges, with official figures showing 6,041 people killed between January and mid-August 2025 - the highest number for that period since 2017. Extortion complaints increased 28% compared to 2024, highlighting the deteriorating public safety situation that lawmakers cited as justification for Boluarte's removal.

'The government has shown complete inability to protect our citizens from the violence gripping our nation,' said one congressional leader during the debate.

Timing Following Concert Shooting

The impeachment vote occurred just hours after a shocking shooting incident at a concert in Lima, where four members of the popular band Agua Marina were shot on stage. The attack, believed to be related to extortion demands, further inflamed public anger over the crime crisis and likely influenced the timing of the congressional action.

'This violence cannot continue. We need leadership that will protect our people,' declared a lawmaker during the emotional session.

Political Instability Continues

Boluarte becomes Peru's sixth president since 2018, continuing a pattern of political instability that has seen multiple leaders removed from office. Her presidency, which began in December 2022 after her predecessor Pedro Castillo was impeached, was marked by controversy from the start.

The 63-year-old leader faced multiple corruption investigations, including the "Rolexgate" scandal involving luxury watch bribes, and was criticized for her government's violent crackdown on protests that left dozens dead.

Immediate Transition of Power

Following the 118-0 impeachment vote, Congress President José Jerí was immediately sworn in as Peru's new interim leader. The swift transition occurred after Boluarte failed to appear before Congress to defend herself against the charges.

'We must restore stability and security to our nation,' Jerí stated after taking the oath of office.

Historic Low Approval Ratings

Boluarte's removal comes as no surprise to political observers, given her chronically low approval ratings. Polls showed only 2-4% of Peruvians approved of her leadership, making her one of the most unpopular leaders globally. Her administration faced over 500 protests demanding her resignation in its first three months alone.

The impeachment marks the fourth attempt to remove Boluarte from office, but the first to succeed after previous efforts failed due to congressional divisions.

Looking Ahead to 2026 Elections

With presidential elections scheduled for April 2026, Peru now faces another period of political uncertainty. The country's democratic institutions have been tested by repeated leadership changes, raising concerns about long-term stability in the South American nation.

As one political analyst noted, 'This impeachment solves an immediate political problem but doesn't address the deeper institutional crisis that has made Peru so unstable in recent years.'