Peruvian police officers burst into President Dina Boluarte’s residence last Friday night, triggering a national scandal. The objective: confiscate three luxurious Rolex watches in the middle of a preliminary investigation for alleged illicit enrichment and failure to declare to the detriment of the State.
Images broadcast by local media showed agents from the highly complex investigations division forcing the lock of the president’s house with a sledgehammer, after waiting in vain for several minutes for a response. The raid, directed by the prosecutor’s office and carried out by the police, was authorized by the preparatory investigation judge of the Supreme Court, Juan Checkley.
The attorney general, Juan Villena, denounced Boluarte’s attitude as “a clear indicator of rebellion,” referring to a written response from the president who sought to postpone her appearance in court due to her “heavy schedule.” This response was obtained by The Associated Press.
Boluarte’s defiant attitude contrasts with his previous statements, in which he promised to face justice and “tell the truth.” However, the president has been involved in a growing political crisis almost two weeks ago, when she refused to explain the origin of the Rolexes that she had publicly displayed.
Initially, Boluarte stated that at least one of the watches was “from yesteryear”, acquired as a result of his efforts since he was 18, urging the press not to delve into personal issues. However, this explanation did not satisfy critics, including several of his ministers and legislators, who began collecting signatures demanding his dismissal.
In his response on Tuesday, the attorney general indicated that Boluarte’s conduct only delayed the course of the investigation and that, as a public official, she was obliged to collaborate with justice. Villena emphasized the need for the president or someone designated by her to display the three Rolex watches under investigation, to avoid possible interference that could affect the case.
The investigation into the luxurious watches began in mid-March, when a journalistic program revealed their presence in the official images of the president. Since then, a debate has raged about their origin and legality, especially given that they do not appear in their asset declarations.
The history of Boluarte, a 61-year-old lawyer, has been marked by a meteoric rise in Peruvian politics. From her modest position as an identity registration official, she became the country’s vice president in July 2021 and subsequently assumed the presidency in December 2022 following the ouster of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo.
However, his tenure has been plagued by controversy and accusations, including a complaint of aggravated homicide and serious injuries in connection with protests demanding his resignation, which left 49 civilians dead. These accusations are now added to investigations into alleged corruption and illicit enrichment.
Boluarte’s popularity has plummeted, reaching just 8% in polls, according to the Ipsos Peru firm. With the country plunged into a deep political and social crisis, the president’s situation seems increasingly precarious, while justice continues its course and public pressure increases.
