Peruvian President Deposed Amidst Rising Crime Rates
The leadership of Peru has been shaken with the removal of its President, Dina Boluarte. The country's lawmakers convened a late-night session and voted overwhelmingly for her impeachment. This drastic decision is rooted in allegations of "permanent moral incapacity".
Unpopular Leadership and the Fallout
Boluarte, who had become one of the least liked leaders across the globe with an approval rating between 2-4%, found her term fraught with continuous protests, scandals, investigations, and an alarming increase in gang violence. Anti-government demonstrations have intensified over the recent months in light of the escalating crime rates. The public's frustration was evident after a recent shooting occurred at a concert in Lima, the nation's capital.
Impeachment and Transition of Power
A staggering 122 out of 130 lawmakers cast their votes for Boluarte's removal in the early hours of Friday. This followed a decisive vote in favor of four separate impeachment motions. The leader of the Congress, Jose Jeri, was swiftly sworn in as the interim president, as the country currently lacks a vice-president.
Boluarte, who was absent from the overnight hearing, addressed her countrymen through national television after the vote. She expressed concern over the impact this decision might have on Peru's democratic stability. Speaking to her people, she stated, "At all times I have called for unity. In this context, I had not thought of myself but of the more than 34 million Peruvians who deserve better."
Tumultuous Tenure and Scandals
During Boluarte's short stint of less than three years in office, which followed the impeachment and jailing of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, the country was gripped by regular protests. Her term was marred by numerous investigations, including one notably referred to as "Rolexgate". This inquiry was centered around allegations that she accepted luxurious Rolex watches as bribes.
Another investigation was launched into her failure to appoint a stand-in president during her absence for a medical procedure. She has consistently denied any misconduct. Boluarte's decision to increase her salary to nearly 35 times the monthly minimum wage in the country was met with widespread contempt and ridicule.
Continued Attempts to Oust Boluarte
Prior to this successful impeachment, there were several attempts to unseat Boluarte ahead of the elections scheduled for next April. Even factions of lawmakers that were once loyal to the president, including conservative parties that had previously backed her, voted for her removal.
Boluarte assumed office in December 2022 after her predecessor Castillo was impeached for trying to dissolve the Congress to evade his own removal. As the vice-president at the time, she took over the reins of the country. As the first female president of Peru, Boluarte was the sixth leader of the Andean nation since 2018. Three of her predecessors are currently serving prison sentences.
Charges and Protests
Shortly after taking office, Boluarte and several of her key ministers were the subjects of an inquiry on charges of "genocide, qualified homicide and serious injuries". This was in response to the death of over 50 supporters of Castillo during a government crackdown on protests demanding her resignation and fresh elections. In the initial three months of her presidency, Boluarte faced more than 500 protests against her rule.