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
Presidential standard
Incumbent José María Balcázar since 18 February 2026
Executive branch of the government of the Republic of Peru
Style	Mister President (informal) His 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	S/35,568 monthly

The President of Peru is the main leader of the country. This person is both the head of state and the head of government. Think of them as the chief executive who guides Peru. They also lead the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru. This makes the President the most important public official in Peru.

The President is chosen by the people to lead the government. They work with the Congress of Peru and the Council of Ministers to make important decisions. They also make sure that Peru's Constitution and laws are followed. The President's main office is in the Palacio de Gobierno in Lima. This historic building has been used by leaders of Peru for a very long time. The current President is José María Balcázar, who took office on February 18, 2026. He became president after José Jerí left office on February 17, 2026.

How Presidents Serve and Change

How Long a President Serves

A President in Peru is usually elected for a five-year term. They cannot be elected again right away. However, a former president can run for office again after a full term has passed. The new government officially starts on July 28th. This date is special because it's Peru's Independence Day.

The Congress of Peru can end a president's term early. This can happen if a president passes away, resigns, or if Congress decides they can no longer do their job. A president can also be removed if they leave the country without permission from Congress.

Many presidents have faced challenges during their time in office. Some have resigned, and others have been removed by Congress. For example, Pedro Castillo was elected in 2021. His Vice President, Dina Boluarte, became president after he was removed from office. Sometimes, leaders have taken power in ways that were not through elections.

Becoming President

The Swearing-In Ceremony

The ceremony where a new President officially takes office is called an inauguration. It happens in the Congress of the Republic of Peru building in Lima. Usually, this takes place on July 28th. If a new president takes over unexpectedly, their inauguration happens as soon as they arrive in Lima. Important guests from other countries often attend to celebrate this peaceful change of power.

The Presidential Promise

During the inauguration, the new President takes an oath. This is a special promise to serve the country and its people. They promise to defend Peru's independence and follow its laws and Constitution. They also promise to respect the importance of the Catholic Church in Peru's culture.

After taking the oath, the President of Congress gives the new President a special sash. This sash shows everyone that they are now the official President of Peru.

The Beginning of the Presidency

Early Leaders of Peru

Long ago, the Inca civilization ruled the Andes. Their leader was called the Sapa Inca. Later, in 1532, Spanish conquerors arrived and took control. This led to the creation of the Viceroyalty of Peru in 1542. The leader of the Viceroyalty was called the Viceroy. They represented the King of Spain. This period lasted for 282 years.

Peru Becomes a Republic

In July 1821, Peru declared its independence from Spain. This was a big step towards becoming its own country. Leaders then worked to create a Constitution to guide the new nation. In 1823, José de la Riva Agüero became the first person to be called the President of the Republic of Peru.

The 1823 Constitution set up three main parts of government: the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. This helped balance power and prevent any one person from having too much control. On July 28, 1827, Manuel Salazar y Baquíjano became the first president chosen by the people. This marked the official start of the Presidency of Peru as we know it today.

What the President Does

President's Main Responsibilities

The President of Peru has many important jobs. They are the head of the government and must make sure the country runs smoothly. Their duties are clearly written in the Constitution and other laws.

Here are some of the President's key responsibilities:

Make sure the Constitution, laws, and treaties are followed.
Represent Peru to other countries around the world.
Guide the overall policies and plans of the government.
Keep the country safe and maintain order both inside and outside Peru.
Call for elections for President, Congress, and local officials.
Lead the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru.
Declare war and sign peace treaties, but only with permission from Congress.
Manage the country's money and negotiate loans.
Appoint important officials like ambassadors and ministers.
Grant pardons and reduce sentences for people who have been convicted.

Limits on Presidential Power

Even though the President has many powers, there are also rules to prevent them from having too much control.

The President cannot command the armed forces without Congress's approval.
They cannot leave Peru without permission from Congress.
The President cannot take away a person's freedom without a good reason. If someone is detained for public safety, they must be brought before a judge quickly.
They cannot stop or delay meetings of Congress.
The President cannot take away anyone's property unless it's for public use, and then the owner must be paid fairly.

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. This sash is red and white, like the national colors of Peru. It is worn across the body, from the right shoulder to the left hip. The Coat of arms of Peru is embroidered on it.

Giving the sash to the new president is a symbol of a peaceful transfer of power. A special family in Lima traditionally makes these sashes for each President.

The Presidential Plaque

The President also wears a golden plaque on their uniform. This plaque looks like a shining sun. It shows that the President is the Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces. It's a symbol of their military leadership.

The Presidential Staff

Sometimes, the President carries a staff, which is like a special cane. This tradition comes from an old Spanish custom. It symbolizes the President's authority and office. While not all presidents have used it, some have carried it during important ceremonies.

Who Can Be President?

Requirements to Be President

To become President of Peru, a person must meet certain requirements. These rules have changed a bit over time, but the main ideas remain.

According to the 1993 Constitution, which is used today:

A candidate must be born in Peru.
They must be at least 35 years old when they apply for the job.
They must be fully exercising their civil rights, meaning they have no serious legal issues.

Also, some people cannot run for president if they have held certain government jobs in the six months before the election. This includes ministers, judges, and members of the armed forces.

History of Presidents

Over more than 190 years, Peru has had many different types of leaders. These include military heroes, leaders from important families, and presidents chosen by the people. The history of the presidency has seen many changes and challenges. Sometimes, more than one person claimed to be president at the same time. Different titles have been used, like "Protector of Peru" and "Supreme Protector."

List of presidents of Peru

After Being President

Many former presidents of Peru have faced legal investigations or challenges after leaving office. This shows how important it is for leaders to act responsibly.

Francisco Morales Bermúdez, who was president from 1975 to 1980, faced legal processes in another country.
Alberto Fujimori (1990–2000) faced legal challenges and was imprisoned. He was later released and then returned to confinement.
Alejandro Toledo (2001–2006) faced investigations and was later extradited to Peru to face legal proceedings.
Ollanta Humala (2011–2016) and his wife faced investigations after his term ended.
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016–2018) faced investigations and was placed under house arrest.
Martín Vizcarra (2018–2020) faced investigations and was banned from public office for a period.
Manuel Merino (2020) was president for a short time and later faced investigations related to public events during his term.
Alan García (1985–1990, 2006–2011) faced an investigation and passed away during this time.
Pedro Castillo (2021–2022) was removed from office and arrested. He is currently imprisoned and facing investigations.
Dina Boluarte (2022–2026) is facing an investigation related to her administration's response to social unrest.

Facts About Presidents

Throughout history, Peru has had presidents from different backgrounds. For example, Alberto Fujimori had Japanese heritage, and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski had European heritage. Most presidents have been born in Lima.

Sadly, three presidents have passed away while in office: Felipe Santiago Salaverry, Tomás Gutiérrez, and Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro.

The tallest president recorded 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. Some presidents have lived to be very old, like Francisco Morales Bermúdez, who lived to be 100 years old.

Who Takes Over Next?

If the President cannot do their job, there is a clear plan for who takes over. This is called the line of succession.

Here is the order of who would become President:

President of the Republic: José María Balcázar

First Vice President: (vacant)
Second Vice President: (vacant)
President of Congress: Fernando Rospigliosi (acting)