Lawmakers in Peru voted late Friday to remove President Dina Boluarte, whose tenure has been defined by unrest and allegations of failing to curb gang violence, according to the Guardian.
Boluarte did not appear before Congress for an overnight impeachment hearing after most lawmakers, including former allies, backed proceedings against her.
She was summoned to appear at 11:30 p.m. but skipped the session, which ended with 118 lawmakers voting for her removal.
“The president’s impeachment has been approved,” said Congress leader José Jerí, who was sworn in as interim president until elections scheduled for April 2026.
“Today, I humbly assume the presidency of the republic ... to establish and lead a transitional government,” Jerí told legislators after taking the oath.
Boluarte’s presidency faced repeated protests, corruption inquiries, and surging violence linked to organized crime.
The motion to impeach cited her “permanent moral incapacity” since assuming office in December 2022.
Peru has cycled through six presidents in about nine years.
Boluarte, who replaced Pedro Castillo after his ouster and a deadly protest crackdown that left at least 50 dead, had seen her approval rating collapse.
She is under several investigations, including over undeclared luxury gifts of watches and jewelry in the “Rolexgate” scandal.
In July, she approved a significant pay raise for herself, fueling public anger.
Recent demonstrations intensified after a September 5 law forced young workers to contribute to private pension funds despite high job insecurity and an informal employment rate above 70%.
Unrest has grown alongside escalating extortion and killings tied to organized crime over the past six months.