LIMA - Peruvian Congress leader Jose Jeri was sworn in as the country's president early Friday, shortly after the Congress removed former president Dina Boluarte from office.

Peru's lawmakers demanded that Boluarte appear at a Congress session to defend herself before voting to approve her impeachment on Thursday night. But Boluarte did not attend the meeting. The Congress passed the impeachment against her shortly afterward.

Jeri, 38, took the oath of office shortly after midnight, pledging to serve until July 26, 2026.

In a brief televised address, Jeri said he assumed the presidency "through constitutional succession", as there was no vice-president to replace Boluarte.

He vowed to take "immediate action" against insecurity, calling crime the main enemy Peruvians face every day.

"These criminal organizations are our enemies today," Jeri said, adding that the fight against crime would rely on the National Police and the Armed Forces.

He also pledged to ensure "transparent, legal and neutral" elections in 2026, when Peruvians are scheduled to choose a new president, Congress and Senate.

Jeri has served as Congress president since July 26.