Peru’s Congress has voted to remove President Dina Boluarte from office following a significant rise in crime that has led to public unrest. Lawmakers accepted four requests for a vote to impeach Boluarte, citing her administration’s failure to address escalating crime rates. Each motion exceeded the minimum requirement of 56 votes needed to move forward, culminating in an impeachment trial within the 130-member unicameral Congress.
The final vote occurred shortly after midnight, with 124 lawmakers supporting the impeachment. This swift action followed a violent incident earlier that day in which a shooting at a concert in Lima injured five people, intensifying public anger over the government’s handling of crime. In contrast to previous attempts to remove her, this motion received cross-party support, indicating a broader consensus on the issue.
Boluarte, who assumed the presidency in December 2022 after her predecessor was also impeached, has struggled to manage a staggering increase in crime, particularly homicides and extortion. Official reports indicate that from January to mid-August, 6,041 people were murdered, marking the highest toll for that timeframe since 2017. Additionally, extortion complaints surged to 15,989 during the first half of the year, representing a 28 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022.
During a military ceremony, 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.” She criticized previous governments for inadequately controlling borders and allowing criminals to infiltrate the nation.
In an effort to defend her administration, Prime Minister Eduardo Arana addressed Congress during a session focused on crime, asserting that parliamentary concerns would not be resolved through impeachment. “We are not clinging to our positions,” he remarked, acknowledging the precarious nature of political life.
The upheaval in Peru’s government illustrates the mounting pressure on Boluarte as she grapples with a disenchanted electorate and a surging crime wave. The impeachment proceedings, coupled with rising public discontent, underscore a critical juncture in Peruvian politics. As Boluarte steps down, the country faces uncertainty about the future leadership and the strategies that will be employed to combat ongoing crime.
