Television images swept Peru late Friday of government agents from an investigative team storming the president's residence with a sledgehammer in a raid authorized by the judiciary at the request of the prosecutor's office.
In Bulwarti She has been subjected to a preliminary investigation for possessing an undeclared collection of luxury watches since she came to power in July 2021 as Vice President and Minister of Social Inclusion, then as President in December 2022.
Police and prosecutors stand outside the home of President Dina Boluarte during a raid aimed at seizing Rolex watches as part of a preliminary investigation into alleged illicit enrichment in Lima, Peru, Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
She initially claimed ownership of at least one Rolex watch as antique property acquired through “personal gain” since the age of 18, and urged the media not to delve into personal matters.
Earlier in the week, Public Prosecutor Juan Villena criticized Boluarte's request to postpone her court appearance for two weeks, stressing her commitment to cooperate with the investigation.
Political unrest is nothing new in Peru, which has seen six presidents in the past five years. But many see Bolwart's latest statements as contradicting her previous pledge to speak honestly to prosecutors, exacerbating the political crisis caused by her unjustified ownership of Rolex watches.
The Public Prosecutor stressed Bolwarti's commitment to bring the three Rolex watches urgently for investigation, warning against throwing them away or destroying them.
Boluarte, a 61-year-old lawyer, rose from a humble district official to vice president under President Pedro Castillo in July 2021, and then assumed the presidency in December 2022. After Castillo was removed After trying to dissolve Congress and rule by decree.
There were at least 49 people Killed in protests That followed.
Critics accuse Bolwarti's government of taking an increasingly authoritarian streak while trying to avoid it Demands for early elections He works with members of Congress on laws that threaten to undermine the independence of Peru's judicial system.