Pressure is mounting against Peruvian President Dina Boluarte as lawmakers have submitted a request to Parliament to remove her from office for “permanent moral incapacity” following a raid on her residence in search of luxury watches. The request requires 87 votes from the 130-seat unicameral Parliament, and so far, five parties with a total of 54 votes have expressed support for the president. Boluarte is being investigated for allegedly acquiring an undisclosed collection of luxury watches since becoming vice president and then president, but she denies the accusations of illicit enrichment.
The investigation against Boluarte began in mid-March after a TV show highlighted her wearing a Rolex watch worth up to $14,000 in Peru. Subsequent TV shows mentioned at least two more Rolexes, sparking public outrage and calls for her removal from office. Boluarte, a 61-year-old lawyer, was previously a modest district official before joining then-President Pedro Castillo’s government in July 2021. She later assumed the presidency in December 2022, with a lower salary than her previous role, but began to display luxury watches shortly thereafter. Boluarte did not list the watches in an obligatory asset declaration form.
In response to the mounting pressure, Boluarte lost three Cabinet members on Monday as the ministers of interior, education, and women resigned. Interior Minister Víctor Torres cited a family matter as the reason for his resignation, while the heads of the Ministries of Women and Education did not provide reasons for their departures. The president quickly swore in replacements for the departing ministers, as well as new ministers of agriculture, production, and foreign trade. Boluarte took office in December 2022 after replacing Pedro Castillo, who was dismissed by Parliament and is currently imprisoned pending investigation for alleged corruption and rebellion.
The raid on Boluarte’s residence, where armed police officers forcibly entered her home with a battering ram, marked the first time in Peru’s history that police have taken such action against a sitting president. The move has raised concerns about the state of democracy in the country and the legality of the search. The investigation and subsequent request for removal from office by lawmakers also come amidst a rise in crime and other nationwide problems in Peru, adding to the political turmoil facing Boluarte and her government.
Despite the challenges and controversies facing her administration, Boluarte remains steadfast in denying the accusations of illicit enrichment and asserting her innocence. As the political situation in Peru continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Boluarte will navigate the pressure from lawmakers and the public, and whether she will be able to retain her position as president. The developments surrounding the investigation, resignation of Cabinet members, and calls for her removal highlight the fragility of political leadership in Peru and the challenges of governing amidst allegations of corruption and misconduct.
