In a stunning political upheaval, Peru’s Congress voted in the early hours of Friday to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, ending the tenure of one of the world’s most unpopular leaders as the country reels from a violent crime wave and deep political fatigue.
Lawmakers convened for an emergency late-night session after a rare consensus emerged across party lines to impeach Boluarte on grounds of “moral incapacity” — a constitutional provision often invoked during Peru’s chronic cycles of political crisis.
The motion gained momentum only hours after a deadly shooting at a music concert in Lima sent shockwaves across the nation, intensifying anger at the government’s perceived paralysis in curbing rampant criminal violence.
Congress, meeting well past midnight, voted 124 to 6 to remove the embattled leader after she failed to appear before the chamber to defend herself when summoned just an hour earlier.
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The decision marks the culmination of growing frustration within the 130-member legislature, where lawmakers from across the political spectrum — including allies who had previously shielded her from earlier impeachment bids — turned against her. This latest motion was the ninth attempt to oust Boluarte since she took power in late 2022 following the chaotic downfall of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo.
Opposition legislators accused the president of losing moral authority and failing to contain the spiralling crime that has gripped Peru’s cities and border regions. They also cited her administration’s heavy-handed response to protests last year that left dozens dead.
Boluarte, who had insisted earlier this week that she would not resign, was not immediately reachable for comment following the midnight vote.
Her removal deepens the political uncertainty in a country that has cycled through six presidents in seven years, underscoring the fragility of Peru’s democratic institutions amid mounting public disillusionment.
It was not immediately clear who would assume interim authority pending new elections, though Congress leaders are expected to convene in the coming hours to determine a constitutional successor.