New President in Turmoil Following Comments Regarding Child Marriage

MIAMI – Peru’s newly appointed president, José María Balcázar, 83, is in hot water this week over comments that were made following a Congressional vote that announced him as successor to the ousted interim president, José Jerí, on Wednesday.

The comments were made after a reporter asked Balcázar about a law that would prohibit minors from getting married, to which Balcázar responded by saying:

“From 14 and up there is no impediment whatsoever, everyone has sexual relations, teachers with students, female teachers with students, between students as well, that's fine.”

The remarks from the nation’s ninth president in a decade, following a string of dismissals and removals, have sparked controversy in the national media.

José Jerí, who was appointed as interim president in October 2025, was removed only after four months when a scandal revealed several “undisclosed” meetings with a Chinese businessman.

Balcázar, who was elected as a lawmaker in Peru’s national Congress in 2021, stated following his appointment as president that he would “guarantee the people of Peru a peaceful and transparent democratic and electoral transition.”

However, the routine political infighting that has plagued the South American country for years quickly resumed as opposition members castigated the “leftist.”

Political unity was made more difficult following Balcázar’s opinions on the controversial topic of sex and child marriage.

Balcázar, an octogenarian, previously expressed his support for adults entering into marriage with children as young as 14.

In 2023, Balcázar made headlines after being the only lawmaker to criticize and vote against a legislative measure that would effectively ban child marriage in the country.

Balcázar argued that the measure’s ban should be restricted to the age of 14.

Shortly after the controversy on Wednesday, Peru’s women’s ministry condemned President Balcázar’s remarks, asserting that the president is effectively justifying “sexual violence against school-age children and adolescents, a painful and despicable situation that profoundly affects their overall wellbeing and fundamental rights.”

On Thursday, Balcázar was asked to clarify his remarks during an interview with El Comercio, a national Peruvian news outlet, in which Balcázar doubled down on his stance, stating: “Early sexual relations—meaning girls or adolescents—actually help the future psychological development of women,” affirming, “I will not change my mind, I am firm in my position.”

Balcázar is expected to preside over the country until July 28, when a new president will assume the office.