Peru's Congress removes President Boluarte as a crime wave grips the country

Published: Friday, October 10, 2025 at 5:11 am

Peru's President Ousted Amidst Rising Crime

LIMA, Peru - In a dramatic turn of events, Peru's Congress voted early Friday to remove President Dina Boluarte from office. The impeachment, which saw 124 lawmakers vote in favor with no votes against, comes as the South American nation grapples with a surge in crime.

The impeachment proceedings were initiated after lawmakers accepted four requests for a vote to remove Boluarte, citing her government's failure to curb the escalating crime wave. The decision followed a late-night debate and trial in the 130-member unicameral Congress. Boluarte was summoned to defend herself, but her absence prompted an immediate vote to oust her.

This marks a significant shift, as previous attempts to remove Boluarte had failed. The latest move saw support from almost all legislative factions. Boluarte took office in December 2022, succeeding her predecessor who was also impeached. Her term was scheduled to end in July 2026, with elections planned for April.

Boluarte's presidency was marked by instability. She assumed power to complete the term of Pedro Castillo, who was removed after attempting to dissolve the legislature. Her tenure was also marked by numerous protests demanding her resignation.

The recent crisis was fueled by a shooting at a concert in the capital, which heightened public anger over the crime situation. Boluarte had partially attributed the crime surge to illegal immigration, a statement that further fueled the political fire. Official statistics reveal a concerning rise in violence, with over 6,000 deaths between January and mid-August, the highest since 2017. Extortion complaints also increased significantly.

The constitution dictates that the president of Congress will assume the presidency, though it is unclear if the current leader will take the role or if a new leader will be selected.

BNN's Perspective: The removal of President Boluarte underscores the deep political instability plaguing Peru. While the rising crime rate is a legitimate concern, the frequent changes in leadership hinder the country's ability to address its challenges effectively. The focus should be on finding a stable government that can implement long-term solutions to combat crime and foster economic growth.

Keywords: Peru, Dina Boluarte, impeachment, crime, Congress, political instability, Pedro Castillo, elections, illegal immigration, violence, extortion, government, president

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