Peru remains locked in a prolonged political crisis, as President Dina Boluarte struggles to stabilise a deeply fragmented system marked by public anger, weak institutions, and a Congress with historically low approval ratings. More than three years after the dramatic removal of former president Pedro Castillo, the country continues to wrestle with legitimacy, governance, and social cohesion.
A presidency without a mandate
Boluarte assumed office in late 2022 following Castillo’s failed attempt to dissolve Congress. While constitutionally valid, her accession never translated into broad public support. Large-scale demonstrations erupted almost immediately, particularly in southern regions, where protesters accused Lima’s political elite of ignoring rural communities and indigenous voters.
Security crackdowns during those early protests left dozens dead, casting a long shadow over Boluarte’s administration. Although street mobilisation has since subsided, resentment remains entrenched, and calls for early elections continue to surface across civil society.
Boluarte governs without a strong party base, relying instead on uneasy arrangements with conservative blocs in Congress. The result is an administration that survives tactically, but rarely governs strategically.
Congressional gridlock deepens mistrust
Peru’s legislature has become both kingmaker and spoiler. Lawmakers have repeatedly blocked reform proposals while advancing measures that critics say weaken anti-corruption frameworks and judicial independence. Approval ratings for Congress hover in single digits, reinforcing public perceptions that political actors are primarily motivated by self-preservation.
Attempts to move forward with constitutional reform or bring elections forward have stalled, leaving Peru trapped in an institutional stalemate. For many Peruvians, politics has become a closed loop: unpopular presidents facing obstructionist legislators, with citizens left on the sidelines.
Economic resilience, social fragility
Despite political turmoil, Peru’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain comparatively solid. Mining exports, agriculture, and tourism have helped cushion the economy, and inflation has moderated from recent highs. However, investor confidence remains fragile, and delayed infrastructure projects reflect uncertainty over long-term policy direction.
Socially, the country is more brittle. Inequality between urban and rural regions continues to fuel discontent, while mistrust of state institutions runs deep. Analysts warn that without credible reforms, Peru risks normalising instability as a permanent feature of governance.
Corruption fatigue and democratic erosion
Peru has cycled through multiple presidents in less than a decade, many entangled in corruption investigations. This revolving door has exhausted voters and weakened democratic norms. Prosecutors remain active, but political interference and legislative pushback increasingly complicate accountability efforts.
International observers have expressed concern about the gradual erosion of checks and balances, particularly as Congress seeks greater influence over courts and electoral bodies.
What comes next
For now, Boluarte has pledged to remain in office until scheduled elections in 2026. Whether she can hold that line depends less on popular support than on maintaining fragile alliances inside Congress.
Without a credible roadmap for reform, Peru faces a future defined by short-term survival rather than long-term renewal. The deeper challenge is restoring trust — in leadership, in institutions, and in democracy itself — after years of upheaval.
Newshub Editorial in South America – 19 February 2026
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