Leftist who defended child marriage elected as Peru’s interim president
The Guardian World
by Dan Collyns in LimaFebruary 19, 2026
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Peru’s congress has elected José María Balcázar, an 80-year-old leftist lawmaker known for advocating child marriage at age 14 or older, as the country’s interim president. This surprising decision came after Balcázar defeated María del Carmen Alva, a conservative favorite, following the abrupt removal of former President José Jerí due to a scandal involving secretive meetings with Chinese businessmen. The election marks Peru’s ninth change in leadership since 2016 and sets the stage for general elections in April.
Balcázar, a veteran politician, has long defended lowering the marriage age, sparking criticism from human rights groups. His rise to power is seen as a reflection of Peru’s deepening political polarization and the ruling elite’s instability. The congress voted to
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/19/2026