Peru’s President José Jerí Ousted Amidst ‘Chifagate’ Scandal

Peru’s Congress removed President José Jerí from office on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, just four months into his term, following a scandal involving undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman. This decision extends a period of political instability that has gripped the Andean nation for the past decade. The vote to remove Jerí was 75-24, with three abstentions .

A Cycle of Political Upheaval

Jerí is the third consecutive Peruvian president to be removed from office. He assumed the presidency in October 2025 after his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, was impeached . Boluarte had no vice president, leading to Jerí, as the head of Congress at the time, succeeding her. Peru has seen seven presidents since 2016, often leaving office under contentious circumstances .

The ‘Chifagate’ Scandal

The scandal, dubbed “Chifagate” – a reference to Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine – began last month when videos emerged showing Jerí meeting several times outside of his official schedule with businessman Zhihua Yang . Yang owns businesses and holds a state concession for an energy project. In one instance, Jerí was seen wearing a hooded top during a late-night visit to one of Yang’s restaurants . Jerí previously apologized for the meetings but denied any wrongdoing, accusing rivals of a smear campaign.

Censure vs. Impeachment

Lawmakers opted for a parliamentary procedure called censure, which requires a simple majority, rather than the supermajority needed for impeachment .

What’s Next for Peru?

Congress will now elect a new interim president who will serve until general elections are held in April . The current head of Congress, Fernando Rospigliosi, has declined to assume the presidency, necessitating the election of a new congressional leader who will then become president . The field for the April election is crowded, and recent polls indicate a significant portion of the electorate remains undecided .

Political Motivations and Economic Stability

Some observers suggest the move to oust Jerí was driven by political calculations ahead of the upcoming elections. “It strikes me that there is no trace of high-mindedness here, only electoral calculations,” said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington . Despite the ongoing political turmoil, Peru’s economy has remained relatively stable, with 3.4% growth in 2025 and low inflation of 1.7% .