Peru’s Congress Bans Former President Vizcarra for a Decade, Deepening Political Divide

On June 11, 2025, Peru’s Congress voted to ban former President Martín Vizcarra from public office for 10 years, citing his 2019 dissolution of Parliament as the main reason.

The legislative body made this decision after months of debate, with 67 votes in favor, 11 against, and 3 abstentions. Lawmakers argued that Vizcarra violated Article 134 of the Constitution by dissolving Congress when it refused to debate a confidence vote tied to the appointment of Constitutional Court judges.

This move comes after a series of political crises in Peru. Vizcarra became president in 2018 after his predecessor resigned over corruption allegations. He quickly made anti-corruption reforms his priority, facing a Congress dominated by opposition parties.

In September 2019, after Congress blocked his reform agenda and ignored a confidence vote, Vizcarra dissolved Parliament and called for new elections.

The military and police supported his decision, and large crowds rallied in his favor. However, opposition lawmakers called the move a coup and briefly installed an interim president, who resigned the next day.

Peru’s Constitutional Court later ruled that Vizcarra’s dissolution of Congress was legal. Despite this, Congress continued to pursue sanctions against him, reflecting ongoing power struggles between the executive and legislative branches.

Vizcarra has already faced two previous bans: one for allegedly receiving a COVID-19 vaccine before the public, and another for alleged corruption during his time as a regional governor.

He is currently on trial for corruption and faces a possible 15-year prison sentence if convicted. The business community and investors have watched these events closely.

Political instability has affected Peru’s economic outlook, with uncertainty about future reforms and the rule of law. The repeated impeachment and removal of presidents in recent years have raised concerns about the country’s ability to maintain stable governance.

For companies and investors, the risk of abrupt policy changes and ongoing legal disputes makes long-term planning difficult.

This latest ban on Vizcarra highlights the deep divisions in Peruvian politics and the challenges of fighting corruption in a system marked by mistrust and confrontation.

The decision underscores the importance of clear legal frameworks and stable institutions for economic growth and confidence.

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