Audio By Carbonatix
Peru's Congress has voted to impeach interim President José Jerí just four months into his term for failing to disclose meetings with Chinese businessmen.
The scandal unfolded last month after videos emerged of Jerí meeting several times outside his official schedule with businessman Zhihua Yang, who was under government scrutiny.
Jerí had previously apologised for the meetings, but denied any wrongdoing and accused his rivals of a public smear campaign.
His removal from office makes him the third consecutive president to be ousted, after he replaced former leader Dina Boluarte who was impeached in October last year.
Jerí has been Peru's seventh president since 2016, amid a tumultuous political landscape in which a succession of leaders have left the post under contentious circumstances.
Peru's Congress will vote on Wednesday for its next interim president.
Lawmakers voted 75 to 24 in favour of impeaching Jerí after a series of controversies dubbed "Chifa-gate" - after a local name for Chinese restaurants.
Security camera footage of Jerí's meetings with Yang, who owns several businesses and was granted a state concession for an energy project, was first reported by local media.
In one of the videos, Jerí could be seen wearing a hooded top during a late-night visit at one of Yang's restaurants.
Also present at one of the meetings was another Chinese citizen who was under house arrest while being investigated for alleged links to an illegal timber network.
Peruvian law requires presidents to document all their official activities, but the now former leader did not record those meetings.
Ruth Luque, one of the lawmakers who backed the censure measures, said she wanted a leader who would put public interest and security first.
"We ask to end this agony so we can truly create the transition citizens are hoping for," she said, according to Reuters. "Not a transition with hidden interests, influence-peddling, secret meetings and hooded figures. We don't want that sort of transition."
Pressure had been mounting for Jerí to resign in the wake of the scandal as he faced a corruption investigation launched by the attorney general and his approval ratings plummeted.
His impeachment marks another chapter of instability for Peru, which is due to hold a general election in April, when power will be transferred to a new president.
Jerí's predecessor Boluarte was ousted following a tenure that was plagued protest, scandals and a surge in gang violence.
Less than a week after Jerí assumed power, protests organised by young Peruvians demanding the political class to do more to combat crime and corruption left one dead and more than 100 people injured.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana should join BRICS as partner, not member – NPP Bono East Regional Secretary
11 seconds -
Ghana High Commission warns nationals in South Africa over protests in Johannesburg, Durban
17 seconds -
Mahama praises Roads Minister for keeping Big Push contractors on their toes
6 minutes -
World Cup Visa Scandal: ‘My client has not collected money for visas’ – Ampofo Ankrah’s lawyer
18 minutes -
US immigration officials defend ICE agents who shot man in same car as child
27 minutes -
Commentator Katie Zacharia picked as new White House press secretary
30 minutes -
Drone strike by Sudan paramilitary kills 41 near Ethiopian border, rights group says
37 minutes -
King warns malicious online actors are evolving tactics
44 minutes -
Several injured as Saudi capital airport reportedly hit again
47 minutes -
Christa Pike discharged from hospital and returned to prison, her lawyers say
49 minutes -
Ghana’s BRICS move requires clear strategy to manage risks – Godfred Bokpin
3 hours -
Pay teachers realistic income – Duncan Amoah to gov’t
3 hours -
Bechem to become chicken capital of Ghana – Mahama projects
3 hours -
Mentapulse Africa’s Health and Labour Summit calls for better working conditions to retain skilled professionals
3 hours -
Two-week strike will not derail academic calendar – GNAT President
3 hours