Jose Maria Balcazar

Jose Maria Balcazar is a Peruvian left-wing lawmaker, former judge, and lawyer who was recently appointed as the interim president of Peru in February 2026. This appointment makes him the eighth president of Peru in the last decade, highlighting a period of significant political instability in the country. He assumed the presidency after his predecessor, Jose Jeri, was impeached on corruption allegations. Balcazar was elected head of Peru's Congress prior to becoming president. His role as interim president is to serve until a new executive is sworn in following the general election scheduled for April 2026. His appointment comes at a time when Peru is also grappling with a rise in organized crime, indicating a complex political and social landscape.