Peruvian interim president's trial to continue after term ends

A Peruvian court has decided that a civil trial against interim President José María Balcázar will proceed once his term concludes on July 28. The ruling came from the Second Criminal Unipersonal Court of Chiclayo, which dismissed a defense request to declare the civil action prescribed.

The case involves allegations of illicit appropriation of funds from the Lambayeque Bar Association, where Balcázar served as dean between 2019 and 2020. While the criminal charges related to this case were extinguished in June 2025 due to the statute of limitations, the civil proceedings remain active.

The court, led by Judge Juan Alex Cubas, denied the defense's bid for the case's permanent dismissal. However, it granted a temporary suspension of the proceedings, acknowledging Balcázar's "high office," until the end of his presidential term. The civil process is scheduled to reconvene on August 21, with a mandatory appearance required from all parties. A supplementary hearing is set for August 28.

Balcázar was appointed head of the transitional government by Congress in February. His lawyer, Víctor Pariona, previously argued that Balcázar lacked presidential immunity in this case as it predated his assumption of the presidency. Pariona acknowledged that funds from the Bar Association were deposited into Balcázar's personal accounts but stated this was for administrative purposes and the money ultimately benefited the institution.