George Forsythpresidential candidate of Somos Perú, publicly distanced himself from the President of the Republic, José Jerí, in the midst of the political scandal generated by the dissemination of videos that show the president in unofficial meetings with a Chinese businessman.
The controversy broke out after it became known that José Jerí held meetings with businessman Zhihua Yang, meetings that would not have been officially registered. These revelations motivated reactions from various political sectors, including his own party.
Forsyth referred to the issue through a video broadcast on his social networks, where he launched harsh criticism against the president and Parliament. “What is happening in the country is sad and shameful. Seeing the President of the Republic (José Jerí) attending meetings at dawn. Seeing the President of Congress (Fernando Rospigliosi) defending him. “We already know he was going to do it because they are the ones who put it there,” he said.
The presidential candidate recalled that Jerí’s arrival to power did not occur by direct popular election, but through Parliament. In that sense, he questioned the political legitimacy of the president and the role that Congress played in his appointment.
“He has not been elected with the vote of the people. What is going to happen? Does he stay or does he go? Whether (José Jerí) stays or goes does not matter. We cannot expect anything good from this Congress. Whoever comes will be the same or worse,” said Forsyth, reinforcing his critical stance against the current political scenario.
Likewise, he attacked the Legislature for not promoting concrete actions to remove Jerí from the presidential position, despite the questions that arose after the dissemination of the videos. For Forsyth, this inaction reflects a structural crisis of the political system.
“That’s why we don’t have health, education and the mafia is everywhere because criminals do not chase criminals.”he commented, linking the lack of political responses with the social problems facing the country.
In this context, the former mayor assured that one of the reasons that drives him to run for president is not having political commitments or debts. According to him, this independence would allow him to promote real changes from the Executive.
“That is why it is so important not to have a straw tail. That is why I do not owe anything to anyone, to any party, to any congressman, I do not owe anyone a favor. That is why I can make the changes that Peru needs,” he stated.
Forsyth also responded to those who believed that he would come to the defense of José Jerí for belonging to the same political party. In his message, he rejected any interpretation of party loyalty above his personal convictions.
“For me, the militancy and the bases chose me to be a presidential candidate because they know that I am not marrying anyone and that my loyalty is to Peru,” he concluded, reaffirming his distance from the president.
This political distancing is striking if one takes into account that, just over two months ago, Forsyth appeared before José Jerí dressed in a military uniform during the ceremony recognizing the interim president as supreme head of the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru.
On that occasion, the presidential candidate of Somos Perú offered his protocol greetings to the president and the high military commanders present, a marked contrast with the critical stance that he expresses today in the midst of one of the most controversial episodes of the current government.
