Peru Ousts 7th President in Decade, Seeks New Leader for 5 Months

Peruvian Congress removes interim President José Jerí amid corruption probe

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Peruvian Congress has ousted interim President José Jerí, who had been in office for just four months, after the public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into alleged corruption against him.

Why it matters

Peru has faced significant political instability over the past decade, with seven presidents being removed from office during that time. This latest upheaval raises concerns about the country's ability to maintain consistent leadership and governance.

The details

Jerí was appointed as interim president in October 2025 after his predecessor, Martín Vizcarra, was impeached by Congress. However, just four months into his term, Jerí now faces a corruption investigation and has been removed from office by the Peruvian Congress.

  • Jerí was appointed interim president in October 2025.
  • Jerí was ousted by the Peruvian Congress on February 17, 2026.

The players

José Jerí

The former interim president of Peru who was ousted after just four months in office amid a corruption investigation.

Martín Vizcarra

The previous president of Peru who was impeached by Congress, leading to Jerí's appointment as interim leader.

Peruvian Congress

The legislative body that voted to remove Jerí from the presidency.

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What’s next

Peru's Congress will now work to appoint a new interim president to serve out the remainder of the current term, which is set to expire in July 2026.

The takeaway

Peru's ongoing political instability, with seven presidents being removed from office in the past decade, raises serious concerns about the country's ability to maintain consistent leadership and governance.