Peru's Congress Ousts President Gherri, Marking Third Presidential Removal in Eight Years.

President José Gherri Removed from Office

According to TSN.ua: On February 17, 2026, Peru's Congress voted to remove President José Gherri from power. This decision, stemming from an ongoing political crisis, came just four months after Gherri assumed office. The vote saw 75 legislators in favor of his removal, 24 against, and three abstentions. This makes Gherri the third consecutive president of Peru to be ousted within an eight-year period, highlighting a pattern of severe political instability. Peru's political turmoil stands in contrast to its recent economic performance, which showed growth in 2025.

José Gherri had taken office in October 2025, succeeding Dina Boluarte, who was herself removed due to corruption scandals. At the time of the vote, the Congress had 130 members, requiring 87 votes to impeach the president. Notably, Peru's economy grew by 3.4% in 2025, with inflation hovering around 1.7%.

Reasons for the Ouster

The push for Gherri's removal centered on a scandal involving undisclosed meetings between the president and a Chinese businessman, Zhihua Yang. Congresswoman Ruth Luque articulated the sentiment behind the vote, stating:

“We ask for an end to this agony, to ensure a true transition that citizens hope for.” - Ruth Luque

Peru has scheduled new elections for April 12, 2026, which are seen as a critical opportunity to stabilize the nation's leadership after this latest upheaval. The repeated removal of presidents underscores a deep institutional crisis that the upcoming vote will seek to resolve.

The ouster of José Gherri emphasizes the chronic political instability in Peru, where multiple presidents have faced impeachment or removal. The approaching elections will be crucial for restoring public trust in political institutions and maintaining the country's economic stability, which has shown positive indicators despite the political chaos. Both the public and political analysts will be watching closely, hoping for a more stable and effective government.