Peru’s Congress has voted to censure and remove José Enrique Jeri Ore from his posts as President of Congress and acting President of the Republic, just four months into his tenure, citing undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen and alleged hiring irregularities.

“Seventy-five members of Congress voted in favour, 24 against, and three abstained. The motion of censure against the President of the Congress of the Republic, acting President of the Republic, Mr José Enrique Jeri Ore, has been approved,” Congress President Fernando Rospigliosi announced during the sitting.

Following the vote, the presiding board formally declared both offices vacant.

“Following the approval of the motions of censure against the President of the Congress of the Republic, who is also acting President of the Republic, Mr José Enrique Jeri Ore, the Presiding Board declares the office of President of the Congress of the Republic vacant and, consequently, the office of President of the Republic is also vacant,” he added.

The decision removes Jeri from office immediately, in what local media described as an “express impeachment”. At 39, he had become Peru’s eighth president since 2016 during a period marked by repeated removals, resignations and interim administrations.

Allegations and investigations

During the debate, several lawmakers criticised his leadership. Popular Democratic Bloc congresswoman Susel Paredes questioned whether Congress should continue supporting a leader facing serious accusations.

Independent congressman Edward Málaga said the episode had created diplomatic difficulties for Peru in its relations with both China and the United States.

The controversy, dubbed “Chifagate”, began last month when security footage showed Jeri arriving late at night at a restaurant wearing a hood to meet Chinese businessman Yang Zhihua, also known as “Johnny”. Yang owns retail businesses and holds a concession for an energy project in Peru. The meeting was not publicly disclosed.

Prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into alleged influence-peddling linked to the meetings. Another Chinese national reportedly present at one of the gatherings, Ji Wu Xiaodong, has been accused by prosecutors of belonging to an illegal timber-trafficking network known as Los Hostiles de la Amazonia and had previously been placed under house arrest.

Jeri is also facing scrutiny over allegations that unqualified young women were hired for government positions after late-night meetings recorded in official palace logs. Several reportedly accompanied him on official trips aboard the presidential plane.

He has denied wrongdoing and said the appointments were lawful.

Diplomatic tensions

The political crisis has unfolded amid heightened friction between Washington and Beijing.

The newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Peru, Bernardo Navarro, criticised what he described as “cheap Chinese money”, appearing to reference Chinese investments including the Chancay port project north of Lima, majority-owned by Cosco Shipping Ports.

U.S. officials have previously suggested the deepwater port could carry strategic implications, which Peru has denied.

China’s foreign ministry rejected what it described as false accusations regarding its cooperation with Peru.Under Peru’s constitution, the head of Congress assumes the presidency. However, Fernando Rospigliosi has declined to take on the role despite being next in the line of succession.

Lawmakers are expected to elect a new President of Congress, who will automatically assume the presidency just weeks before national elections scheduled for 12 April.

Jeri becomes Peru’s third consecutive president to be removed from office.

Public reaction

Outside Congress in Lima, groups of citizens gathered both to celebrate and protest the decision as police secured the area.

Some demonstrators waved placards and chanted “Yes, we can”, while others shouted “corrupt” in reference to the ousted leader.

One demonstrator, Martha, welcomed the vote, saying Peruvians should never again support parties she described as immoral and incapable.

"Very good, long live Peru, we're always standing, never kneeling. Now, I tell my suffering people, which have been subjected to thousands of forms of slavery - never again, not one more vote to these far-right parties. We will not trust them at all because they've proven their immorality and incapacity," she said.

Another protester, Madeleine Rojas, accused Jeri of incompetence and criticised what she described as irregularities during his time in office, expressing anger over the alleged misuse of public funds.

"He was incapable. It's disgusting, to be honest. They must clean and fumigate the government palace," Rojas said.

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