PERU, Lima — Peru’s interim President José Jerí appeared Wednesday before a congressional oversight committee to address unregistered meetings with two Chinese buisness owners — clandestine encounters that have triggered a criminal probe and calls for his removal.
the crisis is the latest chapter in a prolonged political collapse in a country that has seen seven presidents as 2016, and is about to hold a general election amid widespread public outcry over a surge in violent crime.
Jerí has denied wrongdoing. On Tuesday, in an interview with Peruvian TV station América, he rejected calls for his resignation, characterizing the opposition’s actions as a “destabilizing” maneuver aimed at influencing a general election scheduled for April 12.
Jerí — who assumed power in October after Congress impeached and removed Pedro Castillo — faces a formal inquiry into whether he improperly benefited from the meetings. The congressional committee is seeking to determine if Jerí leveraged his position to benefit the Chinese businessmen.
The meetings came to light after local media reported that Jerí met with the businessmen at the Government Palace in December. The businessmen reportedly have ties to companies involved in infrastructure projects in Peru.
Jerí’s appearance before the committee was tense, with lawmakers from both the ruling party and the opposition grilling him about the meetings.He maintained that the meetings were informal and did not involve any discussion of government contracts or favors.
“I have nothing to hide,” Jerí told the committee. “I am confident that the investigation will clear my name.”
However, opposition lawmakers remain skeptical. they argue that the meetings raise serious questions about jerí’s integrity and his ability to govern.
“This is a clear case of conflict of interest,” said Congressman Jorge Luyo,a member of the opposition party. “The president must be held accountable for his actions.”
The investigation comes at a challenging time for Peru, which is already grappling with a number of challenges, including high inflation, poverty, and political instability. the upcoming general election is seen as a crucial possibility for the country to address these issues and chart a new course.
