On Thursday, Peru's parliament appointed lawyer José Balcázar as the interim president, filling the position after the ousting of José Jerí due to investigations over undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen. This political shake-up comes just two months ahead of the scheduled parliamentary and presidential elections, where the country is set to choose a new leadership.

José Balcázar, aged 83 and a former judge, is now the eighth president of Peru since 2016, tasked with maintaining the presidency until the inauguration of his successor on July 28, following the elections on April 12. In his inaugural statement, Balcázar pledged to uphold the nation's sovereignty and the integrity of its democratic institutions, highlighting the responsibilities that come with leading a country at a politically tumultuous time.

The scenario unfolding in Peru reflects a broader trend of instability within the government, as the country has witnessed a succession of leaders being removed or elected under contentious circumstances. Jerí, who rose to power after the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, faced significant scrutiny, illustrating the challenges and volatility of political leadership in the nation as it approaches critical electoral decisions in the coming months.