José María Balcázar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José María Balcázar
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Balcázar in 2026
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| 66th President of Peru | |
| Assumed office 18 February 2026 |
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| Prime Minister | Ernesto Álvarez Miranda |
| Vice President |
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| Preceded by | José Jerí |
| President of Congress | |
| Assumed office 18 February 2026 |
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| Vice President | 1st Vice President Fernando Rospigliosi 2nd Vice President Waldemar Cerrón 3rd Vice President Ilich López |
| Preceded by | Fernando Rospigliosi (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Rospigliosi (acting) |
| Member of Congress | |
| In office 27 July 2021 – 18 February 2026 |
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| Constituency | Lambayeque |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
José María Balcázar Zelada
17 January 1943 Nánchoc, Cajamarca, Peru |
| Political party | Free Peru (2020–2022, 2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Bicentennial Peru (2022–2024) |
| Relations | Joaquín Ramírez |
| Education | National University of Trujillo |
| Occupation |
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José María Balcázar Zelada (born 17 January 1943) is a Peruvian politician and lawyer. He became the 66th President of Peru on February 18, 2026. Before becoming president, he served as a member of the Congress of Peru starting in 2021.
Balcázar was first elected to Congress with the Free Peru party. In 2022, he left the party to help create a new group called Bicentennial Peru. This group was made up of other congresspeople who had also left Free Peru. After Bicentennial Peru ended in 2024, he rejoined the Free Peru group in Congress.
Contents
Early Life and Education
José María Balcázar Zelada was born on January 17, 1943. His birthplace was Nánchoc, in the Cajamarca region of Peru. He went to the National University of Trujillo to study law. He finished his law studies in 1972. Later, in 2005, he earned a higher degree in law and political science. He also taught law at a national university starting in 1977.
Journey in Politics
Becoming a Congressman
In the 2021 general election, Balcázar became a candidate for the Congress of Peru. He represented the Lambayeque region for the Free Peru party. He was elected as a congressman, receiving 6641 votes. He tried to join the leadership of Congress in 2021 and also ran for President of the Congress of Peru in 2022, but he was not chosen for these roles.
Party Changes
In June 2022, Balcázar left the Free Peru group in Congress. He then helped create a new group called Bicentennial Peru. This group was also focused on left-wing ideas. After Bicentennial Peru dissolved in 2024, he returned to the Free Peru group. However, he was not officially a member of the party at that time. He later joined the Now Nation party in late 2024. He was expelled from that party in January 2025. He did not seek re-election in the 2026 general election.
President of Peru
Election to the Presidency
On February 18, 2026, a significant event happened in Peru. The previous president, José Jerí, was removed from office. Following this, José María Balcázar was chosen by the Free Peru party. He was nominated to become both the President of Congress and the President of Peru.
After a long voting process in Congress, Balcázar was elected president. He received 60 votes, winning against Congresswoman Maricarmen Alva. Balcázar was 83 years old when he took office. This makes him the oldest person to become president of Peru.
See also
In Spanish: José María Balcázar para niños
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