Lima: The Peruvian Congress voted on February 18, 2026, to remove interim president José Jeri and designate José María Balcázar as the new provisional leader, amid an unprecedented political crisis that has left the country with four presidents in less than a year. Balcázar, until then president of Congress, assumed office the following day in a brief ceremony.
The Peruvian political crisis intensified after the removal of Pedro Castillo in 2022 and a series of corruption scandals involving his successors. Balcázar faces the challenge of stabilizing the country while organizing the presidential elections scheduled for April 2026, considered crucial to breaking the cycle of institutional instability.
Crisis Context
Peru has had six presidents in the last eight years, reflecting a systemic crisis that combines widespread corruption, extreme political polarization, and a constitutional structure that facilitates both parliamentary removals and congressional closures by the executive. This instability has had significant economic costs: private investment fell 8% in 2025 and growth barely reached 1.5%.
Balcázar, a magistrate and politician with a moderate track record, promised in his inaugural speech to focus on two objectives: guaranteeing clean elections and approving the national budget blocked for months. He also announced the creation of a multiparty dialogue table to seek minimum governance agreements.
International Reactions
The OAS and the European Union expressed concern about the political instability but acknowledged that the change occurred within the constitutional framework. The United States urged Peru to guarantee a transparent electoral process. The International Monetary Fund, which has an active program with the country, kept its growth projections suspended until verifying the stability of the new government.
