Peru’s Congress voted Tuesday to remove interim President José Jerí from office as he faces corruption and influence-peddling allegations, plunging the country into another bout of political instability just weeks before April’s presidential and congressional elections, according to France 24.
The political leader’s sudden downfall follows the publication of leaked report that describes a clandestine meeting in December between Jerí and two Chinese executives, the news agency said. One of the executives leads a company that is actively engaged in governmental work while the other is the subject of an ongoing investigation tied to illegal logging in the country.
On Tuesday, lawmakers approved Jerí’s ouster by 75 votes to 24, France 24 said. Congress is now expected to select a new interim president from among its members to serve until July 28, when the winner of the April 12 election is due to take office and the new Congress is seated.
Jerí had assumed the presidency on October 10 after his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, was dismissed amid a worsening crime wave.
Peru has had seven presidents since 2016, with Congress wielding increasing leverage over the executive branch and repeatedly using corruption investigations to drive presidents from office, according to the report.
Read more at France 24