Marco Aquino
LIMA (Reuters) – Peruvian President José Jerry asked to appear before Congress to “clarify” a meeting he had with a Chinese businessman outside the official agenda that is being investigated by prosecutors in a new political scandal that has rocked the country.
Jerry, who came to power in October after former President Dina Boluate was ousted, sent a letter to Congress on Tuesday asking to appear the next day before the Legislative Oversight Committee, which is also investigating his meetings.
Jerry’s letter, seen by Reuters, said the request “is based on the state’s need to clarify matters of public interest in a transparent and accountable manner.”
Later, Congressional Oversight Committee Chairman Elvis Vergara announced that he would meet with the president.
Peru has been struggling with an ongoing political crisis, with seven presidents having resigned or been fired since 2018.
Jerry met with businessman Yang Zhihua, who owns concessions for commercial shops and energy projects, but he failed to publicly disclose the meetings as part of his agenda, sparking criticism of a lack of transparency and potential corruption. In Peru, presidential meetings are traditionally included in the official agenda.
According to local media reports, Jeri met with Yang Zhihua on December 26 and January 6.
Opposition lawmakers have said they will introduce a motion to impeach or censure the 39-year-old, whose approval rating remains high despite falling to 44% in January, according to local polling firm CPI.
A “friendly” meeting
On Sunday, Jerry issued a public apology via a recorded message for the initial meeting, a dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Lima. He said he was there to coordinate another anniversary of Peru’s friendship with China and denied receiving an “abnormal request” for a meeting.
“I admit my mistake,” he said. “I publicly apologize for participating in a meeting with this businessman in a confidential manner and for raising suspicion and suspicion about my conduct,” Jerry said.
Hours after Jerry apologized, a second meeting with Yang Zhihua was made public. Yang Zhihua had his business suspended by Lima authorities for selling unauthorized products.
Yang Zhihua’s lawyer told RPP radio station on Monday night that the meeting was a “friendly meeting at which President Jerry violated some agreements.”
Political experts say that while censure would require fewer votes than impeachment (87 out of 130), his removal from office is unlikely. Analysts say two-thirds of Peruvian lawmakers are seeking re-election and may opt for stability ahead of April’s election.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Cassandra Garrison, Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Andrea Ricci)
