Boluarte's presidency was marked by historic unpopularity; she was frequently described as the "world's least popular leader," with an approval rating as low as 2% in early 2025 amid allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and repeated impeachment attempts. While previous efforts to oust her—spearheaded by left-wing parties—had failed, a broad coalition eventually formed. Right-wing parties joined the calls for her removal following a surge in violent crime, including theCírculo Militar de Chorrillos shooting. Boluarte declined to appear before Congress, with her lawyer citing alleged violations of due process. Shortly after midnight, Congress declared the presidency vacant, andJosé Jerí, the incumbentpresident of Congress, was sworn in as her successor.
Throughout her tenure, Boluarte was chronically unpopular, reaching a historic low of 2% approval as of March 2025[update].[2][3] Consequently, she was labeled "the world's least popular leader"[4][5] or the "most unpopular leader in the world".[6][7] She faced multiple impeachment motions stemming from various scandals and allegations of corruption, criticism of her handling of security crises, and general disapproval of her governance.[8] None of the initial motions succeeded, as they were primarily supported only by left and far-left parties.[9][10] However, right-wing parties—includingPopular Renewal,We Are Peru,Alliance for Progress, and evenPopular Force—eventually lent their support to the final impeachment process.[11][12][8]
On 9 October 2025, several congressional blocs submitted multiple motions of impeachment against President Boluarte.[13][14][15] At the time of filing, it was unclear whether the motions had the necessary support to be admitted for debate. The central arguments for impeachment were the ongoingsecurity crisis—exacerbated by theCírculo Militar de Chorrillos shooting the previous day—and the government's eroding authority.[16][17] At 5:00 p.m., a second motion (Agenda 19770) was introduced by CongresswomanNorma Yarrow [es] and other legislators, citing the escalating security crisis, a lack of executive leadership, and an alleged inability to govern.[15]
At least four motions were registered that day, all citing "permanent moral incapacity" as the grounds. The congressmen promoting impeachment argued that the security crisis had reached critical levels under Boluarte, that her policies were insufficient, and that governability was severely compromised.[13][14][15] Concurrently, theCouncil of Ministers, led byEduardo Arana Ysa, and theMinister of the Interior,Carlos Malaver [es], presented anti-crime measures to Congress. However, many parliamentarians deemed these responses unsatisfactory and untimely.[18][19]
As rumors of a potential escape circulated, some legislators submitted documents to several embassies to preemptively deny Boluarte asylum upon her removal.[20] Her lawyer, Juan Carlos Portugal, however, publicly ruled out any such intention.[21] Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered outside the Ecuadorian embassy and the president's residence inSurquillo.[22]
A brief debate on the impeachment motions was held at 9:00 p.m., followed by five votes to admit them. All five passed with a congressional majority, with CongressmanAlfredo Azurín [es] ofWe Are Peru as the sole dissenting vote on each occasion.[23] A request to hold the final impeachment vote at 11:30 p.m. was then approved with 113 votes in favour.[12] Boluarte did not appear in Congress at the scheduled time.[24] Her lawyer issued a statement declaring that Boluarte would not attend, arguing that the limited time given to prepare violated herright to defense and that they would not legitimize the proceeding.[25]
The impeachment process began at 11:50 p.m. The final vote commenced at 00:01 on 10 October 2025, and at 00:07, Boluarte's removal was announced with 122 votes in favour, 0 against, and 0 abstentions.[26][27][28]
Following the removal, a motion of censure against the Board of Directors presided over byJosé Jerí was introduced for debate.[29] While this motion was being voted on, Boluarte issued a recorded statement defending her administration.[30] After the motion of censure was rejected, Jerí was sworn in as the new president.[31][32]
The final vote on the presidential impeachment was held on 10 October 2025. The constitution grants the president the right to a defense, and the session was scheduled for this purpose; however, as noted, President Boluarte chose not to attend.[27]
The motion to remove Boluarte for "permanent moral incapacity" was approved unanimously by the legislators present, with 121 votes in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions, resulting in the vacancy of the presidency.
^"Presidenta de Perú registra solo un 2 % de aprobación".La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved21 September 2025.Dina Boluarte es quizás la presidenta más impopular del mundo, con apenas un 2 % de aprobación. [Dina Boluarte is perhaps the most unpopular president in the world, with an approval rating of just 2%.]
YYes
N No