Impeachment Proceedings Against Peru’s Interim President
On Wednesday, Ilic López, a congressman in Peru, declared his intention to gather signatures from fellow lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against interim President José María Balcazar. This move comes amid concerns over Balcazar’s management of a contract for F-16 fighter jets with the United States.
López, who serves as the third vice president of the Peruvian Congress, accused Balcazar of neglecting his constitutional duty to ensure the national defense of Peru. This accusation follows a series of confusing statements from Balcazar that led to the resignations of both the Defense Minister and the Foreign Minister, who stepped down on the same day in reaction to Balcazar’s handling of the situation.
Fernando Rospigliosi, the President of the Peruvian Congress, indicated that once López collects the required signatures, the impeachment request will be processed according to legal protocols, including a vote on the matter.
Balcazar, who is 83 years old and a supporter of child marriage advocacy, became Peru’s interim president in mid-February after his predecessor, José Gerri, was impeached. He is now the ninth president in nearly a decade, a situation marked by a history of impeachments and political instability.
Unless he is impeached earlier, Balcazar’s interim presidency is set to conclude on July 28, 2026, when the winner of the upcoming presidential election is expected to be inaugurated, although that date has yet to be finalized.
Recently, Balcazar announced a postponement of the decision regarding the purchase of 24 F-16 fighter jets valued at $3.5 billion that was supposed to be made during his term. His abrupt decision sparked controversy and confusion within the Peruvian government. In light of this, both Defense Minister Carlos Díaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zera resigned, citing what they perceived as serious inconsistencies in the president’s handling of the matter.
De Zera specifically accused Balcazar of misleading statements about the F-16 agreement, which he claimed was finalized on April 20, despite official denials to the contrary. He also noted that Balcazar had instructed a halt to initial payments for the deal. In earlier comments, Díaz stated that Balcazar had signed a decree enabling the administration to proceed with the purchase of the jets.
U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Bernie Navarro, remarked that any dealings with the United States in bad faith would be taken seriously, expressing the intention to protect U.S. interests. Later, he confirmed that Peru had, in fact, upheld its commitments by making an initial payment of $462 million for the F-16s. Balcazar then alleged that previous statements suggesting a delay were misunderstood, indicating that while the deal would continue, future financial responsibilities would largely fall on the next government.
The fighter jets are anticipated to arrive in Peru within the coming years, with some expected much sooner. Plans for a special airshow demonstration are already in the works for this weekend.
Ambassador Navarro has emphasized that the U.S. and Peru have maintained a friendly relationship for over two centuries, reiterating the priority of the Western Hemisphere for the Trump administration. He concluded by noting that the U.S. is committed to supporting Peru’s goals for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous region, which would in turn shape the partnership for the next two hundred years.
