Peru’s interim president faces calls for removal over unregistered meetings with Chinese businessmen

Peru’s President Faces Scrutiny Over Undisclosed Meetings with Chinese Businessmen

Peru’s interim President José Jerí testified Wednesday before a congressional oversight committee regarding unregistered meetings with Chinese business owners that have sparked a criminal investigation and demands for his removal from office.

The political turmoil adds another layer to Peru’s ongoing governance instability, where seven different presidents have held office since 2016. The country now finds itself navigating this latest crisis while preparing for general elections on April 12, amid growing public concern over escalating violent crime rates.

During his appearance, Jerí strongly denied any wrongdoing. In a televised interview with América the previous day, he rejected resignation calls, describing opposition efforts as a “destabilizing” tactic designed to influence the upcoming election.

The controversy centers on Jerí’s failure to officially document meetings with Chinese nationals, violating Peruvian law that requires presidents to log all official encounters. The interim president, who took office in October following Congress’s overnight impeachment of former President Dina Boluarte, has been particularly scrutinized for a December 26 meeting where he was seen at a restaurant with his face partially concealed by a hood.

Jerí claimed the encounters with businessman Yang Zhihua occurred at a restaurant and later at a wholesale store because he “wanted to eat Chinese food and buy candy.” Yang, whom Jerí refers to as “Johnny,” not only owns these establishments but secured a government concession in 2023 to build a hydroelectric plant in the Andes—a project that remains uncompleted.

Further complicating matters, Jerí acknowledged meetings with Ji Wu Xiaodong, who visited the presidential palace three times despite being under house arrest. Ji Wu faces allegations of involvement with a criminal organization engaged in illegal logging operations in Peru’s Amazon region. Jerí maintained he was unaware of Ji Wu’s legal troubles and claimed the businessman was present merely to help coordinate activities for Peruvian-Chinese Friendship Day on February 1.

“He was just serving food at the restaurant and didn’t speak much during palace visits because he doesn’t speak much Spanish,” Jerí stated. However, this explanation has drawn skepticism as Ji Wu is officially registered as a Chinese-to-Spanish translator with Peru’s foreign ministry.

The scandal highlights the complex and increasingly important relationship between Peru and China. Over the past decade, China has established itself as Peru’s largest trading partner, with significant investments in the country’s mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors. Peru is one of the world’s largest copper producers, with Chinese companies heavily invested in multiple mining operations throughout the country.

Peru’s attorney general’s office confirmed to The Associated Press that it has launched a preliminary investigation against Jerí for alleged influence peddling and illegal lobbying. While details remain confidential, the presidential office released a letter showing Jerí’s stated “willingness to cooperate” with investigators and provide “statements and clarifications as needed.”

Political analysts view this latest crisis as symptomatic of Peru’s deeper institutional problems. The country has weathered numerous corruption scandals involving high-ranking officials in recent years, contributing to widespread public distrust in government institutions.

Meanwhile, the upcoming April elections loom large, with polls showing Peruvians increasingly frustrated by political instability and concerned about security. The country’s economy, traditionally one of the strongest in South America, has struggled to maintain consistent growth amid the political turmoil.

As the investigation proceeds, many observers question whether Jerí will be able to complete his interim term or if Peru might soon see yet another presidential transition before voters head to the polls.