Dina Boluarte moved into office in December 2022 after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was removed in a controversial power grab. Since then, her presidency has been mired by scandal, plummeting approval ratings, and a series of criminal probes. Recent polls indicate that her disapproval rating has sunk to an astounding 93%! This number is one of the worst in the world, according to a recent Datum Internacional survey. Amid these challenges, Boluarte’s government faces accusations of corruption, contributing to a growing perception of instability in Peru‘s political landscape.
In March 2024, investigators raided Boluarte’s home and the presidential palace, turning up hard evidence linking her to these deadly police incursions. They were looking into accusations of illegal enrichment. First, she gets attacked for failing to disclose that she owns a dozen or so fancy watches, Rolexes to be specific. These expensive watches have been linked to corruption allegations. Boluarte has been defending herself by claiming that these watches were a “gift” she accidentally accepted.
The scandal surrounding Boluarte goes beyond bribery allegations and undercuts her political career to include her personal life. The summer of 2023 she had to go through multiple plastic surgeries, which included a rhinoplasty. The surgeon, Mario Cabani, is disputing her version of the two surgeries. He alleges that she was sedated and occasionally comatose throughout the procedure. He disclosed that of the five procedures done on her, four were totally cosmetic.
The Weight of Scandals
This political crisis is in some ways a long time coming, with the beginning of a wave of scandals hitting the presidency my first arrived in 2017. In 2017, an opposition-majority Congreso started using those same powers to eliminate sitting presidents—with Pedro Pablo Kuczynski first in line. This climate had already laid the groundwork for the unrest that came with Castillo’s ousting.
Dina Boluarte’s vice presidency transitioned into the presidency after Castillo’s ouster. Her administration quickly became embroiled in controversy. The government’s aggressive response to protests against Castillo’s removal led to the deaths of more than 60 individuals, further eroding public trust.
Public sentiment has shifted dramatically against Boluarte. That discontent is deeply felt, as citizens take to the streets to voice their anger at new corruption charges and government attempts to silence protest. José Ugaz, a prominent anti-corruption advocate, remarked on Peru’s troubling state: “We are part of a club of countries shamefully plagued by corruption.”
Investigations and Political Fallout
Boluarte is sailing through a tempest of criminal inquiries launched by Peru’s attorney general. The political consequences for her presidency are dire. Continuing investigations not only endanger her political survival, but elucidate Peru’s troubling governance pattern endemic to its political structure.
Boluarte is, at the same time, facing charges of using presidential resources to fly a fugitive politician. On top of that, there have been questions about luxury goods and possible bribe. These allegations have increased scrutiny on her leadership as voters across the nation are calling for a new level of accountability from their leaders.
Anibal Quiroga, a political analyst, emphasized the challenges facing Boluarte’s administration: “We see the use and abuse of judicial proceedings for political ends and objectives, often with the aim of eliminating or delegitimizing an adversary.” He further noted the irony surrounding Peru’s political climate: “What Peru produces most after coffee is presidential candidates.”
A Future in Flux
Meanwhile, Peru is looking ahead to its next elections in April 2026. At 43 candidates, we’ve never seen so many candidates officially filed to run for president! As Boluarte grapples with her declining approval ratings and ongoing legal battles, many wonder whether she will seek re-election or be forced from power before then.
Corruption remains a serious issue – Transparency International ranks Peru 127th out of 180 in its corruption perception index. This top-ranking underscores a significant challenge for any future administration. The political crisis raises questions not only about Boluarte’s leadership, but the severely bureaucratic and entrenched political landscape that still breeds scandal.
