After a controversial investigation into allegations of corruption, including the acceptance of Rolex watches, Peru's President Dina Boluarte has avoided immediate impeachment. The decision highlights ongoing political tensions in the country, particularly following the violent ousting of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo.
Peru's President Dina Boluarte Escapes Impeachment Amid Rolex Scandal
Peru's President Dina Boluarte Escapes Impeachment Amid Rolex Scandal
A congressional subcommittee in Peru has cleared President Dina Boluarte of impeachment related to the "Rolexgate" scandal involving alleged acceptance of luxury watches as bribes.
A congressional committee in Peru recently dismissed an investigation into President Dina Boluarte over allegations that she accepted luxury Rolex watches as bribes, a scandal dubbed "Rolexgate." This decision by the subcommittee allows Boluarte to remain shielded from impeachment proceedings while she continues in office, despite her approval ratings plummeting to single digits.
Though she is protected from immediate consequences, Boluarte may still face legal repercussions once her term ends in 2026 and she loses her presidential immunity. The investigation gained traction after media reports highlighted luxury watches Boluarte wore during public appearances, leading to a police raid on her home in March 2024. Authorities sought evidence related to over a dozen unreported luxury timepieces.
During the investigation, Boluarte requested additional time to comply with a subpoena demanding proof of the watches' purchases, but prosecutors denied her request, prompting the police raid on her residence and the government palace. The administration criticized the raid as "disproportionate and unconstitutional."
During this tumultuous period, Boluarte has maintained her stance, insisting she entered the presidency "with clean hands" and will exit the same way. She claims that the Rolex in question was an old possession purchased with her earnings from years of work.
This is not the only scrutiny Boluarte faces; she is also under investigation for a two-week absence in 2023 during which she underwent nose surgery without delegating her powers. Her presidency began under contentious circumstances after the impeachment of former President Pedro Castillo, who attempted to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, sparking violent protests that resulted in numerous fatalities and calls for Boluarte's resignation.
As the nation braces itself for upcoming elections in April 2026, the political landscape remains precarious, with Boluarte's leadership facing both corruption inquiries and lingering public discontent.
