Peru’s Congress Ousts Interim President After Four Months: The ‘Chifa-gate’ Scandal and a Deepening Political Crisis

In a dramatic turn of events underscoring Peru’s chronic political instability, Congress voted to remove Interim President José Jerí from office on February 18, 2026. His ousting, coming after just four months in power, is directly tied to the “Chifa-gate” scandal—a controversy surrounding his failure to report meetings with a Chinese-Peruvian businessman under investigation. This event marks the third consecutive Peruvian president to be removed and highlights the intense gridlock between the executive and legislative branches as the nation heads toward a pivotal April 2026 general election.

Introduction: A Recurring Cycle of Political Upheaval

Peru’s democratic institutions are once again in a state of flux. The swift and decisive removal of Interim President José Jerí by the opposition-controlled Congress is not an isolated incident but the latest chapter in a years-long saga of political volatility. For observers of Latin American politics, the pattern is familiar: a president assumes office amid high hopes, becomes entangled in a scandal—often related to ethics or corruption—and is subsequently ousted by a hostile legislature. The “Chifa-gate” affair, involving secretive meetings and questions of influence-peddling, fits this disheartening template. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized analysis of Jerí’s ousting, breaking down the key events, the deep-rooted background of Peru’s political turmoil, the legal and ethical implications, and what this means for the country’s immediate future.

Key Points: The Immediate Causes of the Ousting

The following points summarize the core reasons and immediate outcomes of Congress’s decision to remove President Jerí:

• Triggering Scandal (“Chifa-gate”): Jerí was removed for repeatedly failing to disclose, as legally required, his meetings with businessman Zhihua Yang, who was under investigation by state authorities.
• Security Camera Evidence: Videos emerged showing Jerí meeting Yang at his restaurants (which serve “chifa,” Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, hence the scandal’s name) outside of official hours, including a late-night visit where Jerí was dressed casually in a hooded top.
• Questionable Associates: One meeting also included another Chinese citizen under house arrest for alleged links to an illegal logging network, further compounding the perception of poor judgment.
• Allegations of Influence-Peddling: Investigations revealed that after these meetings, state contracts were awarded to several women who had also held private late-night meetings with Jerí at the presidential palace.
• Congressional Vote: The impeachment/ousting motion passed decisively with 75 votes in favor to 24 against, demonstrating broad cross-party consensus that his position was untenable.
• Consecutive Ousters: Jerí is the third straight Peruvian president to be removed from office (following Pedro Castillo and Dina Boluarte) and the seventh president since 2016, a period of extreme political fragmentation.
• Next Steps: Congress must now elect a new interim president, who will serve until the scheduled general elections in April 2026 transfer power to a new, democratically elected leader.

Background: Peru’s “Lost Decade” of Political Instability

To understand the significance of Jerí’s short-lived tenure, one must view it through the lens of Peru’s recent history. Since 2016, the country has experienced a vertiginous turnover of presidents, a phenomenon often called the “lost decade” of governance.

The 2016-2026 Timeline of Turmoil

• Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018): Resigned amid corruption scandals linked to the Odebrecht case.
• Martín Vizcarra (2018-2020): Was impeached and removed by Congress in 2020 over allegations of “moral incapacity” related to corruption accusations from his time as regional governor.
• Manuel Merino (2020): Served for only five days as Congress president before being ousted following massive protests that left two dead.
• Francisco Sagasti (2020-2021): Served as a technocratic interim president to steer the country to elections.
• Pedro Castillo (2021-2022): A former schoolteacher and union leader, he was impeached and arrested in December 2022 after attempting a self-coup by dissolving Congress.
• Dina Boluarte (2022-2025): Castillo’s vice-president who succeeded him. Her tenure was marked by violent protests, a harsh state response, and numerous corruption scandals, leading to her own impeachment and removal in October 2025.
• José Jerí (2025-2026): As President of Congress, he ascended to the interim presidency upon Boluarte’s removal. His four-month term ended with his own ousting.

This sequence reveals a systemic crisis: a weak presidency constantly at odds with a powerful, fragmented Congress that has not hesitated to use its impeachment powers. Public trust in all political institutions has evaporated, creating a vicious cycle where no leader can govern effectively.

Analysis: Deconstructing the “Chifa-gate” Scandal and Its Implications

The “Chifa-gate” scandal is more than just a tabloid story about secret meetings. It is a case study in the ethical and legal breaches that routinely topple Peruvian leaders.

The Legal Framework: Transparency Laws

Peruvian law, specifically the Ley de Transparencia y Acceso a la Información Pública (Law on Transparency and Public Information Access), mandates that the President and other high officials must publicly report all official activities, meetings, and appointments. This is designed to prevent backroom deals and ensure accountability. Jerí’s admission that he met Zhihua Yang multiple times without reporting these encounters constitutes a clear, prima facie violation of this law. The offense is not necessarily about the content of the meetings (though that is also suspect) but the deliberate act of concealment, which undermines the principle of transparent governance.

The “Chifa-gate” Narrative: Symbolism and Substance

The nickname “Chifa-gate” is politically potent. “Chifa” refers to the ubiquitous Chinese-Peruvian restaurants, a cultural staple. By linking the scandal to these familiar, often modest establishments, opponents framed Jerí’s actions as both clandestine (meetings at night, hooded figure) and possibly involving foreign business interests of questionable standing. The imagery of a president in a hoodie at a late-night restaurant, meeting a businessman under investigation, powerfully symbolized a leader acting improperly and away from the formal trappings of state.

The Zhihua Yang Connection and State Contracts

Zhihua Yang is a significant businessman with interests in energy (holding a state concession) and a chain of restaurants. His status as a person “under executive scrutiny” implies he was the subject of an investigation by Peru’s financial intelligence unit or prosecutor’s office, likely for alleged money laundering or irregular business practices. The subsequent revelation that state contracts were awarded to women who also had undisclosed meetings with Jerí at the presidential palace creates a pattern suggesting a potential exchange: access and meetings for government contracts. This crosses from an ethics violation into the realm of suspected corruption, even if no formal charges of bribery have been filed yet.

Political Dynamics: A Congress Asserting Its Power

Congress, led by parties opposed to Jerí’s brief administration, seized on the scandal with relentless efficiency. The vote (75-24) showed a coalition spanning the ideological spectrum—from left to right—united in its desire to remove him. This reflects a broader dynamic where Congress, empowered by the 1993 constitution’s flexible impeachment rules, acts as a permanent opposition to any president not from its own ranks. For lawmakers like Ruth Luque, who spoke of ending an “agony” of “hidden interests” and “influence-peddling,” the ousting was framed as a moral duty to restore integrity, though critics see it as political opportunism.

Practical Advice: What to Watch For Next

For citizens, investors, and observers of Peru, the political crisis demands close attention. Here is what to monitor in the coming weeks and months:

• The Congressional Election for Interim President: Watch which party or coalition secures the congressional presidency. This individual will hold significant power to set the legislative agenda for the final stretch before elections and will be a key indicator of the political forces vying for control in April.
• The Attorney General’s Investigation: The corruption investigation into Jerí is ongoing. Follow whether formal charges are filed. The outcome will set a precedent for holding interim leaders accountable and could involve the businessman Zhihua Yang.
• April 2026 General Election Campaigns: With political instability at its peak, voter sentiment is volatile. Monitor the polls and platforms of leading presidential candidates. Public demand for “honesty” and “change” will be the dominant themes, but concrete proposals to address Peru’s deep-seated economic inequality, crime, and institutional weakness will be tested.
• Congressional Agenda: Will the new interim government attempt to pass any controversial legislation before the election? Or will it focus solely on ensuring an orderly electoral transition? Any attempt to push through major reforms or appointments could trigger new conflicts.
• Market and Economic Indicators: Political instability often pressures the Peruvian sol (PEN) and affects investment. Watch the Central Reserve Bank’s statements and sovereign bond spreads for signs of market anxiety about the prolonged political crisis.
• Social Mobilization: After protests under Boluarte and Jerí, will civil society groups, particularly young Peruvians demanding better governance, organize again? Their actions could pressure candidates or disrupt the electoral process.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions on Peru’s Political Crisis

Q1: Was José Jerí “impeached” or “ousted”?

A: The precise terminology matters. Congress used a constitutional mechanism of “political trial” (juicio político) or removal for “moral incapacity.” While colloquially called impeachment, the process in Peru is broader than the U.S. model. The correction in the original source is accurate: he was ousted/removed by Congress, not formally impeached in a judicial sense. The legal basis is the president’s alleged violation of duty and loss of moral authority to govern.

Q2: What is “Chifa-gate” and why is it called that?

A: “Chifa” is the Peruvian term for Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine and the restaurants that serve it. The scandal is named after Zhihua Yang’s restaurant chain. The name is a piece of political branding that ties the scandal to a specific, culturally resonant location (the chifa restaurants) and implies a cloak-and-dagger, lowbrow meeting, contrasting with the dignity expected of a president.

Q3: How is this different from the removal of Dina Boluarte?

A: Boluarte was removed after a prolonged period of violent protests against her government, which was seen as repressive and illegitimate. Her ousting was driven by a mass social movement and her failure to manage a national crisis. Jerí’s ousting, while also fueled by public disapproval, was triggered by a specific, documented ethics scandal involving secrecy and potential corruption. Both, however, underscore Congress’s willingness and ability to remove executives it opposes.

Q4: What happens now? Who governs Peru?

A: The President of Congress (a different person from the ousted Jerí) becomes the next interim president. This individual will serve until the newly elected president is inaugurated in July 2026, following the April elections. The interim government’s primary constitutional duty is to manage the state and ensure free, fair elections take place on schedule.

Q5: Is this a constitutional crisis?

A: Yes, but in a specific sense. It is a crisis of governability, not of constitutional text. The 1993 constitution’s provisions are being used as intended (by the framers, who created a strong Congress). The crisis is one of political norms and institutional trust. The weaponization of removal powers for political gain, the inability of any president to build a stable coalition, and the public’s alienation from all political actors constitute a profound crisis of Peruvian democracy.

Conclusion: A Symptom of a Deeper Malady

The ousting of José Jerí is a stark, almost routine, event in Peru’s contemporary political narrative. The “Chifa-gate” scandal provided the immediate catalyst—a clear-cut case of a president breaking transparency laws to meet a businessman under a cloud. However, the speed and ease of