Peru’s Court Suspends Boluarte Probe Until End of Term 

Peru’s constitutional court this week halted investigations into President Dina Boluarte’s alleged misconduct until her term ends next July, citing her position as the country’s sitting president, Al Jazeera reported. 

One of the main investigations into Boluarte centers on her response to the deadly protests that broke out in December 2022, just after she replaced then-President Pedro Castillo. Following his attempt to dissolve Congress – widely considered a self-coup – Castillo was impeached, removed from office, and imprisoned. 

After his ouster, Castillo’s supporters led months of protests in support of the left-wing leader. Boluarte, who had served as Castillo’s vice president, responded by declaring a state of emergency. 

Clashes followed between the police and protesters, killing more than 60 people and injuring hundreds more.  

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found that, in some parts of the country, “the disproportionate, indiscriminate, and lethal use of force was a major element of the State response to the protests,” and noted that many of the victims were not even protesting. 

In 2023, Attorney General Patricia Benavides launched a probe into Boluarte and her ministers over the deadly clashes. Subsequently, she filed a constitutional complaint accusing the leader of causing deaths and injuries. Boluarte denied the accusations, saying the investigation was a distraction from Benavides’ own scandals. 

Boluarte is also being investigated for alleged illicit enrichment during her administration after a search of her house and the presidential palace in 2024 revealed luxury objects considered too costly for her to afford with her legitimate sources of wealth. 

The unpopular president was also probed for stepping away from her post while she underwent a rhinoplasty without informing Congress that she would temporarily delegate her duties, Reuters noted. 

Boluarte has denied all these accusations and petitioned the constitutional court to stop the investigations until she leaves office on July 28, 2026. On Tuesday, the court granted her request, siding with an executive branch complaint against the prosecutor’s office and the judiciary. 

With six presidents in the past seven years, Peru is undergoing a period of significant political unrest. Boluarte, who has faced pressure to resign since taking office, is just one of the many presidents to face criminal investigations.