Peru’s Congress has removed President José Heredia from office, just four months after he assumed the presidency. This decision follows revelations of undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman, marking the third presidential ousting in the country within three years.
The vote to remove Heredia saw 75 legislators in favor, 24 against, and three abstentions. With Heredia’s departure, Congress is set to elect a new head, who will automatically assume the presidency.
The controversy, dubbed “Chifagate”—a reference to local Chinese restaurants—began in January 2026 when Heredia was filmed arriving at a restaurant late at night, wearing a hooded sweatshirt. There, he met with Zhihua Yang, a Chinese entrepreneur involved in retail and an energy project concession. The meeting had not been publicly disclosed.
Heredia took office in October 2025 after Congress unanimously ousted his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, amid corruption allegations and rising crime rates. Boluarte lacked a vice president, making Heredia, then the head of Congress, next in line for succession.
This temporary status allowed for a simpler removal process. Unlike impeachment, which requires a supermajority of 87 votes in the 130-member Congress, a vote of no confidence against Heredia as head of Congress needed only a simple majority. Heredia stated he would respect the outcome of the vote.
Frequent changes in leadership reflect the political class’s failure to address key voter concerns, including crime and corruption, according to Reuters. Legislator Ruth Luque, who supported the ousting, called for a successor who prioritizes public interests and safety.
“We ask for an end to this agony to create a transition that citizens hope for. Not a transition with hidden interests, influence peddling, secret meetings, and people in hoods. We do not want such a transition,” she stated.
Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, suggested that the lawmakers’ decision was driven by electoral calculations rather than principled stances. He noted that many legislators believed supporting Heredia could harm their prospects in future elections.
The current head of Congress, Fernando Rospigliosi, has declined to take on the presidency. Political parties must submit their candidates by 6 PM local time, with voting for a new president scheduled for February 19.
Presidential elections in Peru are set for April 12, with expectations of numerous candidates vying for the position. According to an Ipsos poll, a significant portion of voters remains undecided about their choice.
Despite the ongoing political instability, Peru’s economy has shown resilience, with a growth rate of 3.4% in 2025 and an inflation rate of 1.7%.
The ousting of President José Heredia by Peru's Congress highlights ongoing political instability, driven by scandals and public discontent. With elections approaching, the political landscape remains uncertain as parties prepare to nominate new leadership.