President of Peru

This page is about the president of the Republic of Peru. For a list, see List of presidents of Peru.

Quick facts for kids Constitutional President of the Republic of Peru
Presidential standard
Incumbent José Jerí since 10 October 2025
Executive branch of the government of the Republic of Peru
Style	Mister President (informal) Her Excellency (formal, diplomatic)
Residence	Palacio de Gobierno
Seat	Lima
Appointer	Direct popular vote
Term length	Five years, renewable non-consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Peru (1993)
Inaugural holder	José de San Martín (de facto) José de la Riva Agüero (first to use the title)
Formation	28 July 1821 (204 years ago) (1821-07-28)
Succession	Line of succession
Deputy	First Vice President
Salary	Peruvian soles 15,500/US$ 4,155 monthly
Website	www.presidencia.gob.pe

The President of Peru is the country's leader. This important role means they are both the head of state and the head of government. The President leads the executive branch of the government. They are also the supreme commander of Peru's Armed Forces and National Police of Peru. This makes the President the highest-ranking public official in Peru.

The Congress of Peru has the power to remove a president from office for serious reasons. This means the executive branch must work closely with the legislature.

The President's job is to guide the government's overall direction. They work with the Congress and the Council of Ministers to make changes. They also manage the state and make sure the constitution is followed. The constitution explains what a president needs to be, their rights, and their duties. The President's main office is at the Palacio de Gobierno in Lima. This building has been used by Peru's leaders for a very long time, even back to Francisco Pizarro and the viceroys.

Dina Boluarte was the previous president, taking office on December 7, 2022. She was removed from office on October 10, 2025. Today, José Jerí became the new president of Peru.

Presidential Terms and Changes

How Long Presidents Serve

Normally, a president is elected for a five-year term. They cannot be immediately re-elected. A former president can run again after a full term has passed. The change of government happens on July 28th. This date marks Peru's independence from Spain and is a national holiday.

The Congress can end a president's term early. According to the 1993 Constitution, a president can be removed for several reasons. These include death, serious health or mental inability (decided by Congress), resignation, leaving the country without Congress's permission, or breaking constitutional rules.

Some presidents have tried to resign, like Alberto Fujimori and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Others have been removed from office by Congress, such as Martín Vizcarra and Pedro Castillo.

The last directly elected president was Pedro Castillo, who served from 2021. His Vice President, Dina Boluarte, became president after he was removed from office following a failed attempt to change the government.

Peru has also had leaders who came to power through less democratic means. For example, Alberto Fujimori took control in 1992. He later faced legal issues regarding his actions in office.

Presidential Inauguration Ceremony

The Ceremony's Location and Guests

Presidential inaugurations happen in the Congress of the Republic of Peru building in Lima. These ceremonies always take place on July 28th. However, if a new president takes over due to special circumstances, their inauguration happens when they arrive in Lima. Before the inauguration, there is a National Parade by the Peruvian Military.

Leaders from other countries often attend these ceremonies. They come to witness Peru's peaceful transfer of power.

The Presidential Oath

During the inauguration, the president-elect takes an oath. They promise to God, the country, and all Peruvians to faithfully serve as President. They also promise to defend the nation's independence and follow Peru's constitution and laws. The oath also recognizes the importance of the Roman Catholic Church in Peruvian culture.

The president of Congress usually holds the presidential sash. After the president-elect takes the oath, they receive the sash. This symbolizes that they are now the official democratic president of Peru.

All presidents of Peru have been Catholic. They take their oath with a Christian Bible and in front of a Catholic Crucifix.

How the Presidency Began

Ancient Times in Peru

The first organized societies in the central Andes included the Wari civilization. We are still learning about their government. Later, from the 1200s to the 1500s, the Inca civilization grew. Their leader was the Sapa Inca. The Inca government was very different from European ideas of leadership.

The modern Peruvian state has roots in the Viceroyalty of Peru. In 1532, Spanish conquerors arrived and took control. They set up Spanish rule, first with governors. The Governorate of New Castile, led by Francisco Pizarro, became the center. This is where the viceroyalty was later established, with Lima as its capital.

In 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was officially created. The king of Spain's representative, called the Viceroy of Peru, governed it. The Viceroy was both the head of state and head of government. This period lasted for 282 years, until 1824, even though Peru declared independence in 1821.

The Republic Era

In July 1821, during the Peruvian War of Independence, parts of the viceroyalty declared independence from Spain. To create a new nation, they began writing a constitution. The Constituent Congress of Peru created the Constitution of 1823. Francisco Xavier de Luna Pizarro, a Peruvian politician, led this effort.

The 1823 Constitution defined Peru's borders and created the First Republic of Peru. It also established Peru as a Catholic state. Importantly, it set up the three main parts of government: the executive, judicial, and legislative powers. A group of ten politicians, called the "governing board," first represented the executive power.

Later, Simón Bolívar had a lot of power over the government. To prevent a dictatorship, the leaders worked to balance the powers. They also started to define the role of an official state leader.

The Act of Independence was signed in Lima on August 15, 1821. José de San Martín then led the government as "Protector." In 1823, Congress named José de la Riva Agüero as the first President of the Republic of Peru. The 1823 Constitution officially recognized this position.

On July 28, 1827, Manuel Salazar became the first president elected by the people. This marked the true beginning of the Presidency of Peru.

What the President Does

The President of Peru is the head of the national government. Their main jobs are outlined in the Constitution.

Leading the Government

The President makes sure the Constitution, laws, and treaties are followed. They represent Peru both inside and outside the country. They also guide the government's overall policy.

Protecting the Nation

The President is responsible for keeping order within Peru. They also ensure the country's safety from outside threats. They lead the National Defense System and manage the Armed Forces and National Police. The President can declare war or sign peace treaties, but only with Congress's approval.

Working with Laws

The President calls elections for president, Congress, and local officials. They can also call Congress for special meetings. They sign laws and issue decrees to help carry them out. The President also makes sure that court decisions are followed.

Limits on Presidential Power

The President cannot command the armed forces without Congress's permission. They also cannot leave Peru without Congress's approval. The President cannot take away a Peruvian's personal freedom or impose penalties. If someone is arrested for public safety, they must be brought before a judge within 24 hours. The President also cannot stop or delay Congress's meetings.

Presidential Symbols

The Presidential Sash

Former president Ollanta Humala wearing the presidential sash, plaque and baton

The presidential sash is a very special symbol worn by the President. It has been used since Peru became a republic. It was passed down from the last Viceroys. When the new president receives the sash, it shows a peaceful transfer of power. The president of Congress wears it until the new president is sworn in.

The sash has the national colors of red and white. It is worn across the body, from the right shoulder to the left hip. The Coat of arms of Peru is embroidered on it. A family in Lima has traditionally made these sashes. They are custom-made for each president and worn with formal clothing.

Grand Necklace of Brilliance

This necklace is a symbol of the highest authority in Peru. It is made of gold and has diamonds. In the center, there is a medal with the coat of arms of Peru. Some past presidents, like Oscar R. Benavides and Manuel Prado, wore this necklace. Its use became less common after Fernando Belaúnde Terry's time. However, Alan García wore it again in 2008.

The Presidential Plaque

The President wears a plaque in their left upper pocket. It looks like a lanyard and shows their military command. This plaque recognizes them as the Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces. It is golden and shaped like a shining sun.

The Presidential Staff

The staff comes from a Spanish tradition of using a cane to symbolize power. This custom came to the Andes in the 1700s. It represented the dignity of local leaders. Unlike in some other countries, a staff has not always been a common symbol for Peruvian presidents. Sometimes, military presidents used a saber or sword instead. A few presidents, like Mariano Ignacio Prado and Augusto B. Leguía, used it in photos. More recently, Alejandro Toledo and Ollanta Humala used a staff on special occasions.

Who Can Be President?

The 1993 Constitution sets the rules for who can become President.

A President must be born in Peru. People who become Peruvian citizens later cannot hold this office.
They must be over 35 years old when they apply for the job.
They must be fully exercising their civil rights. This means they should not have any criminal record or legal disability. They must also have the right to vote.

Some people cannot run for president if they have not left their current job six months before the election. These include:

Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State.
Members of the Constitutional Court, Judicial Power, and other important government bodies.
Members of the Armed Forces and National Police who are still actively serving.
Close relatives (spouse, children, siblings, etc.) of the current or previous president (within the last year).

History of the Presidency

For over 190 years since its independence, Peru has had many different types of leaders. These include military leaders, aristocrats, and democratically elected presidents. The history of the presidency has also seen civil conflicts and changes in power. Sometimes, more than one person claimed to be president at the same time.

Different titles have been used, such as "Protector of Peru" by José de San Martín.

List of Presidents of Peru

After the Presidency

Many former presidents of Peru have faced legal reviews after leaving office.

Alberto Fujimori faced serious legal questions about his actions while in office and was later released from prison.
Alejandro Toledo faced legal investigations and was later extradited to Peru.
Ollanta Humala faced investigations into his finances but was later released.
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski faced legal investigations after his resignation.
Martín Vizcarra faced allegations and was banned from public office.
Manuel Merino faced investigations regarding events during his short time in office.
Alan García faced an investigation and passed away under tragic circumstances.
Pedro Castillo was removed from office and faced legal charges.
Dina Boluarte is facing legal investigations regarding her administration's response to public unrest.
Francisco Morales Bermudez faced legal proceedings in another country.

Facts About Presidents

Most presidents have been born in Lima.

Some presidents have died while in office due to various reasons. One president passed away under tragic circumstances.

The tallest recorded president was Alan García, who was 1.93 meters tall. The shortest was Alejandro Toledo, at 1.65 meters. The oldest person to become president was Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who was 78 years old.

The president who lived the longest was Francisco Morales Bermúdez, who lived to be 100 years old.

Who Takes Over Next?

Here is the order of who would become president if the current one could no longer serve:

President of the Republic: José Jerí

First Vice President: (vacant)
Second Vice President: (vacant)
President of Congress: Eduardo Salhuana
First Vice President of Congress: Patricia Juárez
Second Vice President of Congress: Waldemar Cerrón
Third Vice President of Congress: Alejandro Cavero