Strike Two

Listen to Today's Edition:

0:00 0:00
100

Peru’s attorney general filed a constitutional complaint against President Dina Boluarte this week over allegations of corruption involving her possession of luxury watches, a move observers say could lead to impeachment, Reuters reported.

The complaint is connected to a recent scandal over Boluarte’s use of expensive Rolex watches and other jewelry of worth that appears to exceed her public salary. The president has already faced questioning and police raids but has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the luxury products were loaned to her by a local governor.

The formal complaint accuses her of receiving a bribe and could lead to her removal by the Peruvian legislature.

Government officials criticized the move, with Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen saying the president will not be distracted by “political noise.”

But the attorney general’s move marks the second constitutional complaint against Boluarte and comes as polls show her popularity has sunk to a new low of 5 percent.

Boluarte previously served as vice president in leftist President Pedro Castillo’s administration. She ascended to power in late 2022 after Castillo tried to illegally dissolve congress before a vote to remove him from office.

Castillo’s ousting and arrest sparked weeks-long violent demonstrations in the country that killed more than 40 people.

In November, the attorney general filed a complaint against Boluarte’s handling of those mass protests.

Peru’s turbulent political landscape has ousted a number of Boluarte’s predecessors in recent years, with lawmakers frequently spearheading impeachment proceedings against them. In April, lawmakers twice rejected motions to bring Boluarte’s impeachment up for debate.

Peru has had six presidents in the past six years, Al Jazeera noted.

Subscribe today and GlobalPost will be in your inbox the next weekday morning


Join us today and pay only $32.95 for an annual subscription, or less than $3 a month for our unique insights into crucial developments on the world stage. It’s by far the best investment you can make to expand your knowledge of the world.

And you get a free two-week trial with no obligation to continue.

Copyright © 2024 GlobalPost Media Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Copy link