Timeline
February 17, 2026 — February 22, 2026
World
Timeline: How Peru's 'Chifagate' Scandal Led to its Eighth President in a Decade
In just five days, Peru experienced another dramatic political upheaval when Congress impeached interim President José Jerà over undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen, dubbed 'Chifagate,' and installed the country's eighth leader in ten years. This timeline traces the rapid sequence of events from impeachment to the controversial appointment of 83-year-old leftist José MarÃa Balcázar, just weeks before scheduled national elections.
11 events · 5 days · 28 source articles
Wed, Jan 21, 2026
Moderate
First censure motions filed against President JerÃ
Between January 21 and January 27, seven censure motions were filed against President José Jerà in Congress. The motions centered on undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang at a Chinese restaurant, sparking what would become known as the 'Chifagate' scandal. Jerà was also under investigation for alleged illegal sponsorship of interests and improper recruitment of women in his government.
Tue, Feb 17, 2026
Major
Congress votes to remove President Jerà after just four months
Peru's Congress voted 75-24, with three abstentions, to remove President José Jerà from office during an extraordinary session. The impeachment came just four months into his term and less than two months before the scheduled April 12 presidential election. Jerà became the third consecutive Peruvian president to be ousted and the seventh since 2016, extending a pattern of political instability.
Tue, Feb 17, 2026
Moderate
Details of 'Chifagate' scandal emerge
Media reports revealed that Jerà held a series of secret late-night meetings at a Chinese restaurant owned by businessman Zhihua Yang, whose companies had supplied the state and held a government concession for a hydroelectric project. Videos of these undisclosed meetings were released, showing Jerà with Yang and others, including someone accused of belonging to an illegal timber trafficking network. The scandal's name referenced 'chifa,' Peru's Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine.
Wed, Feb 18, 2026
Moderate
Power vacuum creates unprecedented situation
Following JerÃ's impeachment, Peru entered a power vacuum lasting more than 24 hours, described as unprecedented in the country's recent history. Congress needed to elect a new president to fill the interim role until the April elections. The political crisis deepened uncertainty just weeks before the nation's presidential and congressional elections scheduled for April 12.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Moderate
Four candidates emerge for interim presidency
Four congressional candidates put themselves forward to become Peru's new interim president: right-wing MarÃa del Carmen Alva (58, from Acción Popular), leftist José MarÃa Balcázar (83, from Perú Libre), right-wing Héctor Acuña, and another leftist candidate. The winner would serve only until July 28, when a newly elected president would be inaugurated following the April elections.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Moderate
First round voting sends race to runoff
In the first round of voting with 117 legislators present, José MarÃa Balcázar received 46 votes while MarÃa del Carmen Alva received 43 votes. Héctor Acuña received 13 votes. Since no candidate achieved an outright majority, the top two candidates—Balcázar and Alva—advanced to a second round where the winner would be decided by simple majority.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Major
José MarÃa Balcázar elected as Peru's eighth president in a decade
Congress elected 83-year-old leftist legislator José MarÃa Balcázar as Peru's new interim president in a late-night session. The former judge and member of the Perú Libre party (the same party as imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo) won with 64 votes out of 113 present, defeating Alva who received 46 votes. Balcázar became Peru's eighth head of state since 2016, inheriting a deeply polarized political landscape.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Moderate
Controversy erupts over Balcázar's election
Balcázar's victory sparked immediate controversy as analysts noted that his 64 votes in the secret ballot suggested support from members of right-wing neoliberal parties Fuerza Popular and Renovación Popular, despite their public opposition to leftist candidates. These parties accused each other of enabling 'extreme left' and 'communism' to return to power. Critics highlighted Balcázar's controversial judicial history and his connection to fugitive politician Vladimir Cerrón.
Fri, Feb 20, 2026
Moderate
Regional officials warn of institutional weakening
Regional Vice-Governor Margot de la Riva Valle criticized the cycle of presidential changes, warning that Congress had accumulated too much power to remove and appoint presidents. She noted that with eight presidents in ten years, no government could consolidate without completing a five-year term. Analysts observed that while Peru's robust economic institutions had maintained stability despite political chaos, the deteriorating legislative environment and populism were beginning to strain this balance.
Sat, Feb 21, 2026
Minor
Peru prepares for bicameral Congress after April elections
With elections just seven weeks away, attention turned to the upcoming return of Peru's bicameral Congress system after more than three decades of unicameral parliament. The new system would feature a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate with distinct but complementary functions, aimed at improving legislative quality and territorial representation. The reform represented a significant institutional change amid ongoing political instability.
Sun, Feb 22, 2026
Major
New president begins with 63% disapproval rating
An exclusive Ipsos poll published by Peru21 showed President Balcázar beginning his brief mandate with 63% public disapproval of his appointment, with only 24% approval. This contrasted sharply with predecessor JerÃ, who had started with 45% approval in October 2025. The rejection was consistent across Lima and the interior, reflecting generalized discontent with his congressional designation. Balcázar would serve only until July 28, when the winner of April's elections would be inaugurated.
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