(LIMA, PERU) – Peru's congress voted decisively on Friday to remove President Dina Boluarte from office, a dramatic culmination of widespread public anger over her government's inability to contain a spiraling crime wave. In a unanimous 124-0 vote, lawmakers impeached the president on grounds of "moral incapacity," plunging the politically volatile nation into further uncertainty.
The move followed the approval of four separate impeachment motions earlier in the week, signaling a rare and broad consensus against the president that had eluded previous attempts to oust her. The final vote was held after Boluarte declined to appear before the legislative body to mount a defense. While Prime Minister Eduardo Arana spoke on her behalf, his arguments failed to sway the united congress.
Public fury reached a tipping point following a recent shooting at a concert in Lima, which galvanized opposition and underscored the escalating violence gripping the country. Boluarte, one of the world's most unpopular leaders, saw her approval rating collapse to a historic low of just 2%. The overwhelming public and political sentiment against her marked a stark contrast to past impeachment efforts that were hampered by a fractured legislature.
The charge of moral incapacity stems directly from the government's perceived failure to address the security crisis. According to official figures, Peru recorded over 6,000 homicides between January and mid-August of 2025. Extortion cases also surged by nearly 30% compared to the previous year, leaving citizens feeling unsafe and abandoned by the state.
Boluarte assumed the presidency in December 2022 after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was impeached and arrested for attempting to dissolve congress illegally. Her tenure was fraught with controversy from the start. Her administration's controversial decision to grant amnesty to security forces accused of crimes against humanity during protests did little to improve her standing with a deeply skeptical public.
The impeachment of Boluarte is the latest chapter in Peru's prolonged period of political instability. The nation has now seen six presidents since 2018, and four former heads of state are currently imprisoned on various charges. The removal of yet another president underscores the deep-seated institutional crisis facing the South American country as it prepares for another leadership transition.