Peru’s Congress Removes President Boluarte Amid Rising Crime Wave

LIMA, Peru — In a dramatic and historic move early Friday, Peru’s Congress voted overwhelmingly to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, as the country struggles with an escalating crime wave that has shaken public confidence.

In the 130-member unicameral Congress, lawmakers convened late Thursday for an impeachment debate after accepting four separate requests to oust Boluarte. The charges centered on her administration’s failure to curb the surging crime rates that have gripped the nation. When Boluarte failed to appear before the legislature to defend herself shortly before midnight, Congress swiftly moved to vote. The result was a near-unanimous 124 votes in favor of impeachment, with no opposition recorded.

This unprecedented consensus marks a departure from eight previous unsuccessful attempts to remove Boluarte, signaling broad political frustration and urgency. The decision came just hours after a deadly shooting at a popular concert in Lima, further intensifying public outcry over the country’s spiraling insecurity.

Boluarte’s presidency began in December 2022, when she assumed office after the impeachment of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, who was removed following his attempt to dissolve Congress prematurely. As Peru’s first female president, Boluarte is now the sixth leader to hold the office within less than a decade, highlighting the nation’s ongoing political instability. Her term was originally set to conclude on July 28, 2026, with elections scheduled for next April.

The Constitution dictates that the president of Congress is next in line for the presidency, but it remains unclear whether the current congressional leader or another lawmaker will assume the role temporarily.

The turmoil coincides with alarming crime statistics. Official data reveals that 6,041 people were killed from January through mid-August — the highest toll in this timeframe since 2017. Additionally, extortion complaints soared to 15,989 between January and July, representing a 28% increase over the previous year. Criminal gangs have notably targeted schools in impoverished neighborhoods for extortion, deepening public fear.

Boluarte’s administration has been plagued by scandals and widespread protests, with over 500 demonstrations demanding her resignation within her first three months in office. Her recent remarks blaming illegal immigration for the crime surge sparked controversy, as she stated during a military ceremony, “This crime has been brewing for decades and has been strengthened by illegal immigration, which past administrations haven’t defeated.”

The immediate trigger for the impeachment came after a man opened fire during a concert featuring Agua Marina, one of Peru’s most popular cumbia groups, injuring five attendees. Despite Prime Minister Eduardo Arana’s defense of Boluarte during a parliamentary hearing focused on crime, lawmakers remained resolute in their pursuit of her removal.

Arana acknowledged the precarious position of the government, telling Congress, “We are not clinging to our positions. We are here, and we knew from the beginning that our first day here could also be our last day in office.”

As Peru enters a new phase of political uncertainty, the challenge of restoring public trust and tackling rampant crime remains critical for the country’s future stability.