Peru’s new president under fire for child sex comments

Jose Maria Balcazar, recently appointed as Peru's interim president following the impeachment of his predecessor, Jose Jeri, is facing significant backlash for controversial remarks regarding child sexual abuse. Balcazar's comments, made during a public address, have sparked outrage among both political opponents and child advocacy groups, who deem the statements inappropriate and damaging. Balcazar took office on February 18 and is set to lead the country for a little over five months until the upcoming elections. His predecessor, Jeri, was ousted due to allegations of corruption, leaving Balcazar with the challenging task of restoring public trust and addressing pressing issues within the nation. The interim president's recent remarks have raised concerns about his suitability for leadership, prompting calls for a reconsideration of his position as public sentiment grows increasingly critical. As Peru navigates this turbulent political landscape, Balcazar's ability to effectively govern and respond to the fallout from his comments will be closely scrutinized in the lead-up to the election.