Enlarge image
Dina Boluarte defended herself at a press conference – and publicly presented her jewelry
Photo: Sebastian Castaneda / REUTERS
Peru's President Dina Boluarte defended wearing three different Rolex watches to various appointments in a press conference broadcast on state television on Friday. The watches were on loan and belonged to her friend and political ally Wilfredo Oscorima, the governor of Ayacucho.
"I must admit that it was a mistake to accept these watches on loan from my friend Wilfredo Oscorima," said Boluarte. "I've already returned it." She held out her forearm to the audience to demonstrate that what was supposed to be a fourth Rolex watch was actually a much cheaper Jacques du Manoir wristwatch that she bought in Switzerland have.
Boluarte showed off several pieces of jewelry — a bracelet, two pairs of earrings, two necklaces and a ring. These are from different brands than what was claimed.
According to her own statements, she had previously answered questions from the public prosecutor's office for five and a half hours.
Boluarte is said to have worn, among other things, a Cartier bracelet worth more than $55,000 and other jewelry with a total value of more than half a million dollars. After Peruvian media raised the question of how she could afford this expensive jewelry, the public prosecutor's office opened an investigation. In addition to the suspicion of illegal enrichment, there is also the fact that the use of certain watches and jewelry was not correctly declared.
At the end of March, Boluarte's home and office were searched. However, no watches were found.
Boluarte said Friday that she did not have to declare the watches in a statement of assets and income because they did not belong to her. She called the allegations “eyewash” that damaged Peru’s reputation. She had previously accused the press of harassment and suggested a sexist background.
Six cabinet ministers resigned on Monday. A connection to the affair surrounding the president was obvious, but was not officially confirmed.
Because of the scandal, Boluarte has already had to face two motions of no confidence in parliament. However, the right-wing majority outvoted the left-wing opposition. If the allegations against Boluarte are confirmed, she can only be prosecuted after the end of her term as president, which is scheduled for July 2026.
Boluarte is the sixth head of state in Peru in eight years. She is also the sixth president of Peru to be investigated for corruption in the past quarter century. Their approval ratings have shrunk to around ten percent.
vet/AFP