- Title: Peruvians hope for change under new interim president Balcazar
- Date: 19th February 2026
- Summary: PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKER TAKING NOTES PUBLIC TRANSPORT DRIVER IN VEHICLE APPROACHING WORKER TO HAND DOCUMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKER, JOSE FLORIAN, SAYING: "Let's forget the grudges, the negative things about each president we've had, and above all we must highlight the good ideas or actions that he (Peru’s interim leader Jose Balcazar) wishes to take.
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Jose Balcazar Jose Jeri Peru interim president leftist ousting presidency
- Location: LIMA, PERU
- City: LIMA, PERU
- Country: Peru
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001690819022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Peruvians expressed a combination of cautious optimism and lingering frustration on Thursday (February 19) as Jose Balcazar took over as interim president, following Congress's removal of his predecessor, Jose Jeri, after a scandal involving undisclosed meetings.
Balcazar, an 83-year-old congressman from the Peru Libre party, was sworn in on Wednesday (February 18) evening. His leadership comes amid a politically volatile period, with public trust in institutions deeply eroded. He is tasked with overseeing general elections scheduled for April 12 and managing a subsequent transition of power in July.
For many residents in Lima, the political shakeup has intensified discontent with the country's leadership. Some lamented the revolving door of presidents amid recurring scandals, expressing doubt but still demanding that meaningful change results from the new interim administration.
Balcazar, a lawyer and former judge, drew criticism for remarks made during a debate on legislation banning child marriage in 2023, asserting that sexual relations among minors were routine. He is also under investigation by prosecutors for alleged influence peddling and was permanently expelled from the Lambayeque Bar Association in 2024 for the presumed misappropriation of funds. Balcazar has denied the accusations.
As Peru braces for yet another transition, Balcazar’s brief stewardship will test whether the country’s political system can avoid sliding deeper into crisis.
(Production: Videosur, Gloria Lopez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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