The leader of the Peruvian Congress, José Jerí, was sworn in early Friday morning as the new Peruvian president after the legislature removed Dina Boluarte from office for ‘permanent moral incapacity’ amid a crisis fuelled by rising crime.

‘I will defend the national sovereignty and the physical and moral integrity of our country,’ said Jerí, a 38-year-old lawyer, adding that he will govern until 28 July 2026, when he will hand over power to the next head of state to be elected in the general elections on 12 April.

Lawmakers had voted to accept four requests to remove Boluarte, citing her government's inability to curb crime. They exceeded the minimum 56 votes required for each request, opening the door to a vote on her removal in the 130-member unicameral Congress.

Lawmakers then requested that Boluarte appear before them on Thursday shortly before midnight to defend herself, but when she failed to appear, they immediately voted in favour of her removal. Shortly after midnight, 124 lawmakers voted in favour of removing the 63-year-old president.

AP Video shot by Mauricio Munoz