José María Balcázar becomes Peru's eighth president in a decade

José María Balcázar has become Peru's new interim president, replacing another interim leader who was removed over corruption allegations just four months into his term. Balcázar was elected late Wednesday with a majority in the 130-member legislature, defeating three other candidates. The current Congress, which began its term in 2021, has now impeached three heads of state, and Balcázar becomes the country's eighth president in a decade. The 83-year-old former judge representing the leftist Perú Libre party will govern for five months before handing over power to the winner of the upcoming elections. Peruvians will choose a new president and legislature on April 12.