Peruâs Congress elects Jose Maria Balcazar as countryâs interim president

LIMA, PERU - FEBRUARY 18: Peru's new interim President Jose Maria Balcazar gestures after his election at the National Congress in Lima, Peru on February 18, 2026. Peruâs Congress elected leftist lawmaker Jose Maria Balcazar as the countryâs new interim president Wednesday, a day after lawmakers removed his predecessor amid corruption allegations. Balcazar, an 83-year-old legislator, won the most votes in a parliamentary session in Lima and will serve as interim head of state until July 28 as Peru prepares for presidential elections scheduled for later this year. (Photo by Jorge Cerdan/Anadolu via Getty Images)