President of Peru facts for kids

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
Presidente Constitucional de la República del Perú
Presidential standard
Incumbent Keiko Fujimori since 28 July 2026
Executive branch of the government of the Republic of Peru
Style	Madam President (informal) Her Excellency (formal, diplomatic)
Type	Head of state Head of government Commander-in-chief
Residence	Palacio de Gobierno
Seat	Lima
Appointer	Direct popular vote Congress of Peru
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 (205 years ago) (1821-07-28)
Succession	Line of succession
Deputy	First Vice President
Salary	S/.35,568 monthly

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The President of Peru is the most important leader in the country. This person is both the head of state and the head of government. They lead the executive branch and are the supreme commander of the Armed Forces and National Police.

The President guides the government's overall plans. They work with the Congress and the Council of Ministers to make changes. They also make sure the country's laws are followed. The main office for the President is the Palacio de Gobierno in Lima. This building has been used by Peru's leaders for a very long time.

The current President is Keiko Fujimori. She started her term on 28 July 2026.

Presidential Terms and Changes

How Long Presidents Serve

A President is usually elected for five years. They cannot be elected again right away. A former President can run for office again after a full term has passed. The President officially starts their job on 28 July in the Congress building. This date is also important because it marks Peru's independence from Spain. It is a national holiday.

The Congress can remove a President from office early if there are very serious reasons. This can happen if a President passes away, has a permanent serious illness, resigns, leaves the country without Congress's permission, or breaks important laws. Several presidents have been removed from office this way, including Alberto Fujimori (2000), Martín Vizcarra (2020), Pedro Castillo (2022), and Dina Boluarte (2025).

Throughout history, some presidents have resigned during difficult times. Others were removed from office early. There have also been times when leaders tried to take control of the government in ways that were not allowed by the law. For example, in 1992, Alberto Fujimori took actions that were not approved by Congress. In 2022, Pedro Castillo also tried to dissolve the Congress, which was against the rules.

History of Peru's Leaders

For over 190 years, Peru has had many different kinds of leaders. These include military heroes, leaders from important wars, and people chosen by the public. The history of the presidency has also seen times of disagreement and big changes. Sometimes, more than one person claimed to be the rightful president at the same time. Different titles were used, like "Protector of Peru" by José de San Martín.

Early Times Before the Republic

One of the first known states in the Andes was the Wari civilization. Later, the Inca civilization grew, led by the Sapa Inca.

The modern country of Peru was shaped by the Viceroyalty of Peru. In 1532, Spanish explorers arrived and took control. They set up a system where governors ruled. The Governorate of New Castile, led by Francisco Pizarro, became the center.

In 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was officially created. The Viceroy of Peru was the representative of the King of Spain. This period lasted for 282 years. Important viceroys included Francisco de Toledo and José Fernando de Abascal y Sousa. The last viceroys faced the armies fighting for independence.

The Republic Begins

In July 1821, Peru declared its independence from Spain. José de San Martín became the "Protector" of the new government. Later, a group called the Constituent Congress took charge. Francisco Xavier de Luna Pizarro led this group.

In 1823, José de la Riva Agüero became the first person to be called "President of the Republic." Soon after, José Bernardo de Tagle helped create the Constitution of 1823. This constitution set up the First Republic of Peru. It defined the country's borders and created the three main parts of government: the executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

There was a time in 1826 when Simón Bolívar tried to create a "lifetime president" role for himself. This would have given one person too much power. To prevent this, the leaders worked quickly to define the President's powers. They wanted to make sure that power was balanced among the different parts of the government. In 1827, José de la Mar was elected president.

What the President Does

The President of Peru leads the country's government. Their actions must be approved by the ministers who work with them. The President leads the Council of Ministers when they meet. They also choose and can remove the head of the Council of Ministers. Other ministers are chosen by the President with the agreement of the head of the Council.

The 1993 Constitution

The President has many important jobs, according to the 1993 Constitution:

Make sure the Constitution, laws, and treaties are followed.
Represent Peru both inside and outside the country.
Guide the government's overall plans.
Keep the country safe and maintain order.
Call for elections for President, Congress, and local leaders.
Call special meetings of Congress if needed.
Give reports to Congress about the country's situation.
Make rules to help carry out laws, and issue decrees.
Make sure court decisions are followed.
Direct Peru's foreign policy and sign international agreements.
Appoint ambassadors and other diplomats.
Welcome foreign diplomats.
Lead the National Defense System and manage the Armed Forces and National Police.
Take steps to protect Peru's territory and independence.
Declare war and sign peace agreements, with Congress's approval.
Manage the country's money.
Negotiate loans for the country.
Make special rules in emergencies, especially for money matters, but must tell Congress.
Set taxes on imported goods.
Grant pardons and reduce punishments for people who have been found guilty of crimes.
Give special awards on behalf of the Nation.
Allow Peruvians to serve in a foreign army.
Approve extradition requests, with the Council of Ministers' agreement.
Lead the Forum of the National Agreement, or let the head of the Council of Ministers do so.
Perform other government and administration duties given by the Constitution and laws.

Who Can Be President?

Rules from the 1993 Constitution

To become President of Peru today, a person must:

Be Peruvian by birth.
Be at least 35 years old when applying for the job.
Have full civil rights, meaning they have no serious legal issues.

Also, certain people cannot run for President if they have not left their current job six months before the election. This includes:

Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State.
Members of the Constitutional Court, Judicial Power, and other important government bodies.
Leaders of the Armed Forces and National Police who are still actively serving.
Close family members of the current or recent president.

Starting the Job: Inauguration Day

Where and When It Happens

Presidential inaugurations happen in the Congress of the Republic of Peru building in Lima. They always take place on 28 July. If a new president takes over unexpectedly, the inauguration happens when they arrive in Lima. After the ceremony, there is a National Parade by the Peruvian Military. Leaders from other countries often attend this important event.

The Presidential Oath

The President-elect takes an oath in Spanish. Here is what it means in English:

I, [complete name of presidential elect], swear to God, to the Homeland, and to all Peruvians that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the Republic of Peru that has been entrusted to me by the Nation for the period [start of mandate] to [end of mandate], that I will defend the sovereignty of the nation as well as the physical and moral integrity of the Nation, that I will comply and enforce the political constitution and laws of Peru, and that I will recognize, respecting freedoms, the importance of the Roman Catholic Church in the cultural and moral formation of Peruvians.

The head of Congress gives the President-elect the presidential sash after the oath. This sash shows that the new President is officially recognized by the government. There have been times when some inaugurations were not fully accepted by everyone. All presidents of Peru have been Catholic and have taken the oath with a Christian Bible and a Catholic Crucifix.

Symbols of the President

The Presidential Sash

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

The presidential sash is a special ribbon worn by the President. It has been used since Peru became a republic. It is red and white, like the national colors. The President wears it diagonally from the right shoulder to the left side of the waist. The Coat of arms of Peru is embroidered on it. This sash is made specially for each President.

The Plaque

The President also wears a golden plaque on their left pocket. It looks like a shining sun. This plaque shows that they are the Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces.

The Staff

The staff is a cane that symbolizes power. It was introduced a long time ago. Unlike some other countries, it has not always been a common symbol for Peruvian presidents. Sometimes, military presidents used a saber or sword instead. Recently, some presidents like Alejandro Toledo and Ollanta Humala have used a small presidential staff.

After Being President

Being a former president can be challenging. Many former elected presidents of Peru have faced investigations or legal questions after leaving office. These investigations look into their actions while they were in power.

For example, Alberto Fujimori faced legal challenges after his presidency. Alejandro Toledo also faced investigations. Ollanta Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, were investigated. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski faced legal issues after he resigned. Martín Vizcarra was banned from public office. Manuel Merino was investigated for events during his short time as president. Pedro Castillo was removed from office and faced investigations. Dina Boluarte is also facing investigations.

Facts About Presidents

In recent history, some presidents have not been of direct Peruvian descent. These include Alberto Fujimori and Keiko Fujimori, who are of Japanese descent. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski had German, Jewish, French, and Polish roots. Most presidents have been born in Lima.

Some presidents have passed away while serving in office. One president, Alan García, passed away in 2019.

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 José María Balcázar, who was 83 years old. The youngest was Felipe Santiago Salaverry, who was 28.

Keiko Fujimori became the first elected female president of Peru. She is the second woman to serve as president, after Dina Boluarte (2022-2025).

Who Takes Over Next?

Here is the order of who would become President if something happened to the current President:

President of the Republic: Keiko Fujimori

First Vice President: Luis Galarreta
Second Vice President and President of the Senate: Miki Torres
President of the Chamber of Deputies: Óscar de Jesús Reto Otero