Controversy over past remarks by Peru's interim president
Abuse of power, fraud, and embezzlement allegations also emerge
After a series of presidential impeachments, Peru's interim president, who has been temporarily entrusted with running state affairs, has faced a strong backlash immediately after taking office over past remarks and various allegations. In particular, a comment he made during the deliberation of a bill to ban child marriage is being brought back to light, fueling growing opposition from women's groups and the legal community.
According to local media such as RPP News on the 19th (local time), Jose Maria Balcazar (83), who assumed responsibility for the executive branch the previous day under a resolution of the Peruvian Congress, has long been a source of controversy over inappropriate remarks and criminal allegations while serving as president of a regional bar association and as a member of Congress.
"Sex at an early age actually helps women's future"...controversy over past remarks
Interim President Balcazar is reported to have said in 2023, while Congress was discussing a bill to ban child marriage, that "as long as it does not involve violence by the partner, having sex at an early age actually helps women's future from a psychological standpoint." He also claimed that "consensual sexual relations among adolescents do not cause any traumatic consequences," drawing public criticism from fellow lawmakers.
At the time, the Peruvian Ministry of Women strongly condemned his comments, saying they "justify child marriage." With his selection as interim president, those remarks are being revisited, and civic groups and women's organizations are mounting an increasingly strong backlash.
Embezzlement allegations and claims of legislative dealings
Interim President Balcazar was expelled from the Lambayeque Bar Association in the northern Lambayeque region in 2019 on charges including embezzlement of funds, and he is reported to have since been referred to the prosecutor's office.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Lambayeque Bar Association stressed, "We firmly reject that a person who inflicted serious damage on his own professional association is being given, even on an interim basis, the possibility of governing the country." The statement was released just before the congressional vote to select the interim president.
Local daily El Comercio also reported that Interim President Balcazar faces additional allegations that he colluded with former Peruvian Attorney General Patricia Benavides (57) to engage in legislative and judicial dealings.
Repeated impeachments entrench political instability
Interim President Balcazar has taken over the reins of government for about five months, following former President Jose Geri, who was impeached over alleged collusion with a Chinese businessman. Geri had succeeded to power after the 2024 impeachment of former President Dina Boluarte, but was ousted by Congress amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a Chinese-Peruvian business figure.
In Peru, the institutional framework allows the president to be removed from office immediately by a congressional vote. As corruption allegations in politics and extreme polarization among parties have recurred, political instability has become permanent, with seven presidents having been replaced over roughly eight years since 2018.
Meanwhile, Peru is scheduled to hold a presidential and general election on April 12, 2026, and the new president's five-year term will run from July 28, 2026. Attention is focused on whether the current interim government can minimize the governance vacuum in the remaining period and manage the elections in a stable manner.
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