José María Balcázar, recently appointed president of Peru, has a controversial past that includes representing individuals convicted of crimes against minors, according to records from the country’s judicial system. The revelations come as Peru continues to grapple with political instability following the removal of former President José Jerí.
Records from the Peruvian Judiciary show Balcázar served as legal counsel for a man sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. He also represented another individual convicted of making sexual propositions to children and adolescents, El Comercio Perú reported February 20, 2026. This information surfaced as Balcázar emphasizes his prior role as a provisional Supreme Court judge.
Balcázar’s ascent to the presidency followed a vote in Congress after Jerí’s removal. He defeated María del Carmen Alva, an acciopopulista, to secure the position, Infobae reported February 19, 2026. Supporters, including former Prime Minister Guido Bellido, highlighted his experience within the judicial system to bolster his candidacy.
Yet, Balcázar was previously removed from the judiciary in 2011 by the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) for failing to meet the required standards for a judge. The decision came before the CNM was allegedly infiltrated by a criminal network, known as Los Cuellos Blancos del Puerto. El Tiempo reported February 19, 2026. The case involved Balcázar overturning a previous Supreme Court ruling, a decision considered a violation of legal precedent.
Further scrutiny has been directed toward Balcázar’s career, which has included allegations of prevarication, fraud, and other offenses, according to local media reports. He also faces a constitutional complaint filed in 2025. The revelations surrounding Balcázar’s past raise questions about the stability of Peru’s current leadership and the vetting process for high-ranking officials.
