Peruvian Congress Ousts President Boluarte, Citing ‘Permanent Moral Incapacity’ Amid Crime Crisis
LIMA, Peru – In a dramatic late-night session, Peru’s Congress voted overwhelmingly in the early hours of Friday, October 10, 2025, to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, citing the constitutional grounds of “permanent moral incapacity.” The vote, which garnered 124 in favor and none against, marks another severe escalation in Peru’s cycle of chronic political instability and instantly ended the tenure of the country’s first female president. Congress promptly swore in its leader, 38-year-old lawyer José Jerí, as the interim head of state.
The Escalating Crime Crisis
The immediate catalyst for the impeachment motion was the government’s perceived failure to control a devastating surge in violent crime and organized gang activity across the nation. Public and political anger reached a boiling point following a high-profile shooting in the capital, intensifying pressure on a government already plagued by scandal. Lawmakers specifically targeted Boluarte’s alleged inability to provide effective governance amid a crime wave that saw homicides and extortion complaints reach multi-year highs.
A Presidency Defined by Scandal
Beyond the security crisis, Boluarte’s two-year presidency was marred by deep controversy. She was the subject of several ongoing investigations, including the infamous “Rolexgate” scandal concerning the alleged illicit acceptance of undeclared luxury jewelry and watches. Furthermore, human rights groups continued to demand accountability for the deaths of over 50 protesters during security crackdowns that followed her assumption of power in December 2022. Boluarte refused to appear before the legislative body to offer her defense during the impeachment debate, with lawmakers proceeding directly to the vote.
Constitutional Instability and Succession
The removal utilized the constitution’s ambiguous “permanent moral incapacity” clause, a mechanism that critics argue has been routinely weaponized by the legislative branch to prematurely terminate presidencies. Boluarte is now the latest casualty in a tumultuous era that has seen Peru cycle through six presidents in less than a decade. Interim President José Jerí has been tasked with leading the transitional government until general elections, which are currently scheduled for April 2026. The swift removal underscores the profound institutional fragility in Peru, where the battle between the executive and legislative branches continues to undermine democratic stability and the nation’s ability to address deep-seated issues of corruption and insecurity.
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