New Prime Minister in Peru: Eduardo Arana sworn in as Prime Minister after Gustavo Adrianzén’s resignation amid political crisis
President Dina Boluarte swore in Eduardo Arana as the new President of the Council of Ministers, just hours after the sudden resignation of Gustavo Adrianzén and a reshuffling of key cabinet positions.
Eduardo Arana Ysa has been officially appointed as Peru’s new Prime Minister following the resignation of Gustavo Adrianzén. The change in leadership comes amid growing political tensions and just before Congress was set to debate four motions of no confidence against Adrianzén. His resignation, described as "irrevocable," prompted yet another reconfiguration of President Dina Boluarte’s cabinet.
The reshuffling began less than 24 hours earlier, when President Boluarte swore in new ministers of the Interior, Economy, and Transport and Communications. However, the newly appointed officials also resigned after the fall of Adrianzén’s cabinet. Arana, who previously served as Minister of Justice and Human Rights, now takes on the role of leading the Council of Ministers during a turbulent political period.
Who is Eduardo Arana, the new Prime Minister?
Eduardo Arana Ysa holds a law degree from the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University and a master’s degree in Constitutional Law from the National University Federico Villarreal. According to official records from SUNEDU, Peru’s national education authority, Arana also has a long-standing background in public service and legal advisory roles.
Before being named Prime Minister, Arana was Minister of Justice and served as an advisor in Peru’s Congress. His experience includes working closely with the Justice and Education Committees, particularly during the tenure of Gladys Echaíz, a legislator from the conservative Renovación Popular party and former Attorney General.
Eduardo Arana is sworn in as Peru's new prime minister in the government of Dina Boluarte. Photo: Diario Expreso
New cabinet must request vote of confidence
As required by Article 133 of the Peruvian Constitution, the new cabinet must request a vote of confidence from Congress. This process is a constitutional requirement to legitimize the newly formed Council of Ministers. If confidence is denied, or if the Prime Minister is censured, resigns, or is dismissed, a total cabinet crisis is triggered.
This is the second time during Dina Boluarte’s presidency that a Prime Minister has resigned under political pressure. A similar situation occurred in March 2024 when former Prime Minister Alberto Otárola stepped down after a media report exposed alleged favoritism involving his former partner. Though the circumstances differ, both Otárola and Adrianzén left office amid controversy and cabinet instability.
Investigation against Arana will continue, Judicial Ruling confirm
The Judiciary has confirmed the continuation of the preliminary investigation against Justice and Human Rights Minister Eduardo Arana in connection with the “Cuellos Blancos del Puerto” case. The decision follows the final rejection of a rights protection request filed by Arana, who sought clarification from the Public Ministry regarding the alleged “corrupt means” involved in a 2018 phone call with former judge Walter Ríos.
In that call, Arana and Ríos discussed a judicial process that allegedly concerned the minister. According to prosecutors, Arana may have asked Ríos—then president of the Callao Court—to pressure a judge into delaying the execution of a sentence. The existence of any promised benefit remains under investigation. Despite Arana’s claims that the prosecution is criminalizing his communication, the court found no grounds to halt the proceedings.
