"LIMA, Peru Peru's Congress voted to initiate an impeachment trial of President Dina Boluarte late Thursday, hours after a shooting at a concert in the capital inflamed anger over crime gripping the South American nation. Lawmakers voted to accept four requests for a vote to remove Boluarte from office over what they said is her government's inability to stem crime. They exceeded the minimum 56 votes required for each request, setting up a debate and impeachment trial in the 130-member unicameral Congress. Lawmakers then requested that Boluarte come before them shortly before midnight to defend herself."
"Boluarte's government has struggled to respond to the spike in crime, particularly homicides and extortion. On Wednesday, she partially blamed the situation on immigrants living in the country illegally. "This crime has been brewing for decades and has been strengthened by illegal immigration, which past administrations haven't defeated," she said during a military ceremony. "Instead, they've opened the doors of our borders and allowed criminals to enter everywhere... without any restrictions.""
"Official figures show that 6,041 people were killed between January and mid-August, the highest number during the same period since 2017. Meanwhile, extortion complaints totaled 15,989 between January and July, a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The country's latest presidential crisis erupted after a man opened fire and injured five people Wednesday during a concert of Peru's most popular cumbia groups, Agua Marina. Prime Minister Eduardo Arana on Thursday defended Boluarte during a crime-focused hearing before Parliament,"
Peru's Congress voted to initiate an impeachment trial against President Dina Boluarte after a concert shooting heightened public anger over crime. Lawmakers accepted four removal requests citing the government's inability to curb homicides and extortion and exceeded the 56-vote threshold to open debate. Parliament asked Boluarte to appear before legislators to defend herself. Most legislative factions supported the petitions, unlike previous attempts. Removal would require 87 votes; Boluarte assumed office in December 2022 after a prior impeachment. Official figures show 6,041 killings from January to mid‑August and 15,989 extortion complaints from January to July.
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