Peru is a place where "stable politics" feels like a myth from a long-lost civilization. If you haven't checked the news in a few months, you're probably still thinking Dina Boluarte is running the show. She isn't. Honestly, the situation shifted so fast in late 2025 that even some locals were left blinking at their TV screens.
Right now, the person sitting in the Government Palace is José Jerí.
He isn't a household name globally, and he definitely wasn't elected by a popular vote. He’s the guy who was "next in line" when the floor fell out from under the previous administration. On October 10, 2025, Jerí was sworn in as the 65th President of Peru. He’s 39, a lawyer, and currently the face of a country trying to hold its breath until the 2026 elections.
Who is the President of Peru, José Jerí?
You've probably never heard of him. That's okay—most of Peru was still getting to know him when he took the sash. José Enrique Jerí Oré is a member of the Somos Perú (We Are Peru) party. Before becoming the head of state, he was the President of Congress.
In Peru, if the President and the Vice Presidents are gone, the head of the legislature is the one who gets the call. Since Boluarte had no vice presidents left after her own chaotic rise to power, Jerí was the last man standing.
He’s a millennial, which is a bit of a shock for Peruvian politics. He was born in 1986 in the Jesús María district of Lima. He’s a lawyer by trade, having studied at the Federico Villarreal National University. Before he became the accidental president, he was a congressman representing Lima.
His rise wasn't exactly a glorious march to victory. It was a survival tactic by a Congress that had reached a breaking point with his predecessor.
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What Happened to Dina Boluarte?
To understand why Jerí is in charge, you have to look at the spectacular collapse of Dina Boluarte’s presidency. She was the first female president in the country's history, but she ended up with approval ratings that would make a tax collector look popular. We’re talking 2% or 3% support in the polls.
The final straw wasn't just one thing; it was a pile-up. There was "Rolexgate"—a scandal involving expensive jewelry she couldn't quite explain. Then there was the security crisis. Extortion and violent crime in Lima and other major cities reached a fever pitch.
The "Agua Marina" incident was the breaking point. A popular cumbia band was attacked during a concert, and the public's patience just evaporated. On October 9, 2025, Congress moved with uncharacteristic speed. In a marathon session that bled into the early hours of Friday the 10th, they voted 122 to 0 to remove her for "permanent moral incapacity."
She didn't even show up to defend herself. By sunrise, José Jerí was being sworn in.
The Cycle of "Moral Incapacity"
Peru uses this phrase "moral incapacity" like a political ejector seat. It’s a vague term in the constitution that basically allows Congress to fire a president if they have enough votes and a good enough reason—or even just a mediocre one.
Jerí is actually the eighth president Peru has had in the last ten years. Think about that. That is a staggering amount of turnover.
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- Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned.
- Martín Vizcarra was impeached.
- Manuel Merino lasted five days.
- Francisco Sagasti was the "interim" guy who actually finished his short term.
- Pedro Castillo tried a "self-coup" and ended up in jail.
- Dina Boluarte was impeached.
And now we have Jerí.
What is Jerí’s Job Right Now?
Basically, he is a placeholder. He isn't there to pass sweeping new laws or reinvent the Peruvian economy. His main mandate is to keep the lights on and ensure that the general elections scheduled for April 12, 2026, actually happen without the country sliding into total chaos.
In his first speech, he promised a "government of transition and national reconciliation." He also declared a "war on crime," which is what every Peruvian president says when they take office because security is the number one concern for people living in Lima, Trujillo, or Arequipa.
It’s a tough gig. He inherited Boluarte’s cabinet because Congress rejected a motion to fire them all at once. So, he’s leading a team that mostly served the woman he replaced. Talk about an awkward first staff meeting.
Real Challenges Facing the Current President
- The Crime Wave: Extortion is through the roof. Small business owners are being threatened daily. Jerí has to show he can do more than just talk about it.
- Lack of Legitimacy: Since he wasn't elected by the people, many Peruvians view him with suspicion. There have already been protests against him, fueled by old allegations of misconduct that resurfaced the moment he took office.
- The 2026 Election: He has to remain neutral while the political heavyweights—like Keiko Fujimori and others—start their engines for the upcoming race.
Looking Toward the 2026 Elections
If you're asking who the president of Peru is because you're planning a trip or doing business there, the name José Jerí is the one you need for the "now." But the name for the "future" is still a giant question mark.
The April 2026 elections are going to be a circus. Peru is returning to a bicameral legislature (meaning they'll have a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies again). This is a big deal because it changes how laws are made and how the president is checked.
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The list of potential candidates is long and, frankly, a bit exhausting for the average Peruvian voter. You've got the usual suspects and a few wildcards. But for Jerí, success will be defined by one thing: handing over the presidential sash on July 28, 2026, to someone else without the country falling apart in the process.
Essential Insights for Following Peru's Presidency
If you want to keep tabs on what's happening in Lima without getting lost in the weeds of Latin American politics, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the "Moral Incapacity" votes: This is the barometer of a president's survival. If Jerí loses the support of the coalition in Congress, he could be out just as fast as Boluarte was.
- Security is the priority: Any major news about strikes or organized crime usually leads to political shifts. The urban transport strikes in late 2025 were a huge factor in the last transition.
- The "placeholder" status: Don't expect major foreign policy shifts or massive economic reforms. This is a caretaker government.
- Check the date: In Peru, the political weather changes hourly. Always verify the current occupant of the Government Palace if you are reading an article older than a month.
To stay updated, you can follow the official announcements from the Presidencia del Perú on X (formerly Twitter) or keep an eye on major regional outlets like El Comercio or Andina. The situation is fluid, but for now, José Jerí is the man in the hot seat.
Keep an eye on the April 2026 polling data as it starts to emerge. That will tell you more about the long-term direction of the country than anything happening in the palace today.
Check the official Peruvian government portal (gob.pe) for the latest decrees if you are managing investments or travel plans in the region.