PERU’S President Dina Boluarte faces mounting pressure as she refuses to step down amidst allegations of amassing a significant fortune in jewelry while earning a modest salary.
Boluarte, the first female president of the South American nation, finds herself embroiled in controversy following revelations of owning luxury items, including a $50,000 Cartier bracelet and a $19,000 Rolex watch, sparking an investigation for illicit enrichment by prosecutors.
The accusations surfaced after a popular news podcast, La Encerrona, analyzed Boluarte’s Flickr account, revealing her penchant for sporting expensive jewelry items.
This prompted Peruvian prosecutors to take swift action, with a raid on Boluarte’s home by 20 representatives of the public prosecutor’s office and 20 police officers, followed by a search of the presidential palace.
It can be noted that the investigation began in March after Peruvian news outlets broadcasted reports showing Boluarte wearing luxury watches at official events, raising questions over her ability to pay for them on a public salary.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for Boluarte said police had discovered around 10 ‘nice’ watches inside the Peruvian president’s home, adding that they were ‘noted and photographed’ but remained inside the property.
But Boluarte says she is innocent, and claimed that she purchased the Rolex before assuming office, and that it was a result of her hard work.
Meanwhile, in a televised address, Boluarte vowed to cooperate with investigators while denouncing the raids on her residence and the presidential palace as “disproportionate” and “abusive.”
She further asserted her commitment to serving out her term, saying that she took office with clean hands and thus will retire from the presidency in 2026.
“I took office with clean hands and thus I will retire from the presidency in 2026,” said Dina Boluarte, President of Peru.
Meanwhile, the Peruvian presidency stated on social media platform X, asserting that the raids were conducted without incident and with full cooperation from palace personnel.
