Peru’s Congress has voted to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, intensifying the political turmoil as the nation grapples with a significant surge in crime. Lawmakers approved four separate requests for impeachment, citing Boluarte’s failure to address escalating security concerns, particularly violent crime. Each motion garnered more than the necessary 56 votes required for a debate, culminating in an impeachment trial within the 130-member unicameral Congress.
Following the lawmakers’ decision, Boluarte was summoned to defend herself before Congress at midnight on July 25, 2023. Her absence from the session prompted legislators to proceed with the vote, resulting in a swift decision to impeach her, with 124 lawmakers supporting the motion shortly after midnight. The decisive action came in the wake of public outrage following a shooting incident during a concert in the capital, Lima, where five individuals were injured, amplifying frustrations over rising crime rates.
Unlike previous attempts to remove Boluarte, which saw limited bipartisan support, this latest initiative received backing from nearly all legislative factions. Boluarte had assumed the presidency in December 2022 after Congress used a similar process to impeach her predecessor. Since then, her administration has faced mounting challenges, particularly in curbing the alarming rise in homicides and extortion.
Official statistics reveal that 6,041 people were killed in Peru between January and mid-August 2023, marking the highest toll for that timeframe since 2017. Additionally, extortion complaints surged to 15,989 in the first seven months of the year, a marked increase of 28% compared to the same period in 2022.
During a military ceremony on the day of her impeachment, Boluarte partially attributed the crime wave to illegal immigration, stating, “This crime has been brewing for decades and has been strengthened by illegal immigration, which past administrations haven’t defeated.” Her comments suggest a controversial stance on the issue, as she criticized previous governments for failing to control borders and prevent criminal infiltration.
Prime Minister Eduardo Arana defended Boluarte during a Congress session focused on crime, emphasizing that the parliament’s concerns could not be resolved merely by addressing impeachment requests. “We are not clinging to our positions,” he remarked, acknowledging the precarious nature of their political standing.
The situation in Peru mirrors broader regional issues of governance and public safety, as citizens increasingly demand effective leadership to combat crime and restore order. With Boluarte’s removal, the country enters a new phase of political uncertainty, raising questions about the future direction of leadership and policy in the face of pressing security challenges.
