Peru President Ousted After Four Months Over Scandalous Secret Chinese Restaurant Meetings

Peru’s Congress removed President José Jerí after four months in office following the Chifagate scandal involving secret meetings with Chinese businessmen.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 18, 2026, 4:59 AM EST

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Fox News

The Sudden Collapse of the Jerí Administration

The Peruvian legislature finalized the removal of President José Jerí on Tuesday after a lopsided vote that reflected a total loss of confidence in his leadership. Lawmakers moved with unusual speed to censure the 39 year old lawyer who had only assumed the presidency in October 2025. The primary catalyst for his downfall was a collection of leaked videos showing the president entering a closed Chinese restaurant in Lima under the cover of night. In the footage, Jerí appeared to be wearing a hooded sweatshirt to conceal his identity while meeting with a prominent Chinese businessman with significant energy and retail interests. While the president initially characterized the meetings as informal discussions about cultural heritage, the lack of transparency and the failure to record these visits in official logs triggered a massive political backlash and a preliminary criminal investigation.

A Decade of Institutional Instability in Lima

The ouster of José Jerí marks the latest chapter in a staggering period of political volatility for the South American nation. He is the seventh person to hold the title of president in the last ten years, a statistic that underscores the fragility of the Peruvian executive branch. This cycle of instability began in earnest around 2016 and has seen a succession of leaders removed through impeachments, resignations, or criminal indictments. Jerí himself ascended to the role from his position as head of Congress because there was no active vice president to fill the vacuum left by his predecessor, Dina Boluarte. Critics argue that the frequent use of congressional censure powers has created a revolving door at the Government Palace, making it nearly impossible for any administration to implement long term policy or maintain public order.

The Chifagate Scandal and Foreign Influence

At the heart of the controversy is Zhihua Yang, a well connected businessman known locally as Johnny, who has lived in Peru for decades and operates several commercial enterprises. Prosecutors are investigating whether the secret meetings involved improper influence peddling related to government contracts or energy concessions. Adding to the gravity of the situation was the presence of Ji Wu Xiaodong at these gatherings, an individual who was reportedly under house arrest during the meetings for alle...