José María Balcázar
José María Balcázar | |
|---|---|
 Balcázar in 2026 | |
| 66th President of Peru | |
| Assumed office 18 February 2026 | |
| Prime Minister | Ernesto Álvarez Denisse Miralles Luis Arroyo Sánchez |
| Vice President |
|
| Preceded by | José Jerí |
| President of Congress | |
| In office 18 February 2026[a] | |
| 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 | |
| Constituency | Lambayeque |
| Personal details | |
| Born | José María Balcázar Zelada 17 January 1943 Cajamarca, Peru |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Free Peru (2020–2022, 2024–present) Bicentennial Peru (2022–2024) |
| Relations | Joaquín Ramírez |
| Education | National University of Trujillo |
| Occupation |
|
José María Balcázar Zelada (born 17 January 1943) is a Peruvian politician and lawyer who has been the 66th president of Peru since 2026. He was a member of the Congress of Peru from 2021 until 2026.
Presidency
[change | change source]On 18 February 2026, after President José Jerí was impeached, Balcázar was nominated by Free Peru for President of Congress and for the presidency of Peru.[1] After several hours of voting, he was elected president by the Congress with 60 votes in the final ballot, beating Congresswoman Maricarmen Alva of the Popular Action party.[2][3]
At 83 years old, Balcázar is the oldest person ever to be sworn in as president of Peru.[4]
On 22 February, his government announced that economist Hernando de Soto would be the next prime minister.[5] However, two days later, his appointment was cancelled and Denisse Miralles was picked as prime minister instead.[6]
Political views
[change | change source]During his time in congress, Balcázar debated against making child marriage illegal because he believed that, without violence, such marriages would help a young girl's mental health.[7][8][9] He also believed that sexual relationships between students and teachers are a good thing.[10]
Notes
[change | change source]- ↑ Balcázar ascended to the presidency when he took the presidency of congress, on leave since then.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Parlamento elige hoy nuevo presidente de Perú entre cuatro candidatos" (in Spanish). Prensa Latina. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ↑ "Peru appoints Jose Maria Balcazar as president after Jose Jeri's removal". Al Jazeera. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ↑ "Peru installs Jose Balcazar as interim president after Jeri ousted in political upheaval". Reuters. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ↑ "Leftist lawmaker Jose Maria Balcazar becomes Peru's interim president". MSN. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Press, Associated (2026-02-23). "Excandidato presidencial Hernando de Soto es nombrado primer ministro del gobierno interino en Perú" [Former presidential candidate Hernando de Soto is appointed prime minister of the interim government in Peru]. AP News (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Peru: Denisse Miralles sworn in new Prime Minister". Andina. 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "José María Balcázar insiste en defender matrimonio infantil: Estas son sus indignantes declaraciones" (in Spanish). El Comercio. 2023-11-02. ISSN 1605-3052. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ↑ Diego Casimiro Ore (2023-11-02). "Congresista Balcázar y su nuevo aberrante comentario para justificar las relaciones sexuales con menores". Infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ "Perú: José Balcázar defiende "relaciones sexuales" con niñas". Deutsche Welle (in Spanish). 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ "Ministerio de la Mujer rechaza declaraciones de congresista Balcázar a favor del matrimonio infantil" (in Spanish). El Comercio. 2023-11-02. ISSN 1605-3052. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
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