A new testimony involving Peru's interim president, José Jerí, has emerged, linking him to a rape allegation just before Congress debated his potential removal.
A fresh testimony implicating José Jerí, the interim president of Peru, in a rape allegation has been released on social media shortly before Congress convened to discuss his removal. The testimony, shared by journalist Pamela Arroyo, comes from Marco Antonio Cardoza, a friend of Jerí, who is also facing charges in relation to the alleged incident, which reportedly took place in late 2024 during a gathering among friends while Jerí was already a congressman.
In a written statement submitted to the Prosecutor's Office on July 18, 2025, just days before Jerí took up the role of the Congress president, Cardoza requested several tests to be administered on Jerí, asserting that he might have had a role in the alleged abuse. The claims come at a critical time as Congress prepares to deliberate on Jerí’s fate, raising concerns about the impact these accusations might have on his presidency and the political stability in Peru.
As this situation unfolds, the focus on Jerí's leadership and allegations against him may exacerbate tensions in Peruvian politics, creating a backdrop of instability amid an already complex governance landscape marked by controversies surrounding previous administrations. The outcome of Congress's discussions regarding his removal could set significant precedents in how such allegations against high-ranking officials are handled in Peru.
