A President’s Ousting Exposes Peru’s Systemic Problems

The ousting of President Martin Vizcarra portends months of uncertainty in Peru, which will cast doubt on the country’s long-term political stability and future ability to attract the investment needed to grow its pandemic-rattled economy. Peru’s Congress overwhelmingly voted to remove Vizcarra on Nov. 9, igniting a political crisis that has since seen the exchange of three presidents in just one week. News of Vizcarra's removal immediately drove crowds of angry Peruvians to take to the streets in Lima and elsewhere, affirming the former president’s popularity. On the evening of Nov. 14, two protesters were killed and nearly 100 were injured in violent clashes with police -- creating another public uproar against interim President Manuel Merino that forced him to step down after only five days in office. ...