José María Balcázar has taken over as the interim president of Peru after the country's Congress voted to remove José Jerí from office. The decision was made on February 17, during a session where Balcázar, a member of the Perú Libre party, emerged as a leading candidate among four contenders. He will serve in this capacity until July 28, when the newly elected president after the April 12 elections is set to assume office.

In the parliamentary voting process, José María Balcázar secured 46 votes in the initial round, surpassing his closest rival, María del Carmen Alva from Acción Popular, who received 43 votes. This prompted a second round of voting, wherein Balcázar ultimately received 60 votes, confirming his role as the interim leader. Balcázar is noted to have an extensive legal background, having graduated from the National University of Trujillo, and has held various relevant positions throughout his career.

As he steps into this role, Balcázar faces significant challenges, including navigating Peru's political landscape and preparing for the upcoming elections. His leadership will be crucial during this transitional phase, as the country looks to stabilize following recent political upheaval. Observers will be closely monitoring his actions and decisions as the interim president, particularly in relation to governance and addressing pressing national issues.