LIMA, Peru: Peru’s Attorney General Juan Carlos Villena has accused President Dina Boluarte of accepting bribes in the form of luxury Rolex watches, escalating a corruption scandal that has plagued her already unpopular government. Villena stated that Boluarte’s acceptance of these items from Ayacucho’s regional governor, Wilfredo Oscorima, constitutes passive corruption.
Villena “presented a constitutional complaint against Dina Boluarte as the suspected author of passive corruption,” his office announced on X, formerly known as Twitter. The scandal emerged in March when undeclared luxury Rolex watches and jewelry were found in Boluarte’s possession. Last month, Boluarte told prosecutors that the watches had been loaned to her by Oscorima.
The accusation does not equate to an indictment, as the president enjoys immunity while in office. Congress must now debate the complaint, and the decision to put her on trial would ultimately rest with the courts after her term ends in July 2026.
Boluarte, who holds an approval rating of just 12 percent according to an Ipsos poll, does not lead a party in Congress and will need to secure conservative support. Her presidency has been marred by political instability in a country that has seen six presidents in the past eight years.
Boluarte assumed office in December 2022 after the impeachment and imprisonment of left-wing President Pedro Castillo, who attempted to dissolve Congress. Furthermore, Boluarte is under investigation for “genocide, homicide, and serious injuries” related to the deaths of over 50 protesters during a crackdown on demonstrations demanding her resignation and new elections.
