Why Peru Is Always Just One Step Away from Chaos

With the ouster of Martin Vizcarra, Peru has extended a spate of governmental instability that few countries can match, with every president since 1985 but one either impeached, imprisoned or sought in criminal investigations. Amid public outrage, which quickly drove Vizcarra’s successor from office, and investor angst, the question is what lies behind this record: Is corruption worse here than elsewhere in Latin America, or party rivalry more vicious? Or is there a flaw in Peru’s constitutional arrangements?

Vizcarra came to power in 2018 when his predecessor, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, resigned amid allegations he bought votes to avoid impeachment. Vizcarra was soon clashing with lawmakers himself over his proposals to stamp out graft in the judiciary and politics. With his public approval ratings high, he dissolved Congress 13 months ago. But the warring continued with the replacement legislature. The president had no party to defend him when prosecutors began investigating allegations from construction executives that he’d taken about $638,000 in kickbacks when he was a regional governor. He stepped down after lawmakers voted 105-19 on Nov. 9 to impeach him.