In a significant legal development, Peru’s Constitutional Court has decided to pause all ongoing investigations into President Dina Boluarte, deferring further probes until after the end of her presidential term in 2026. This ruling affects several high-profile cases, including those related to alleged human rights violations during protests and accusations of illicit enrichment.
Key Facts
- The Constitutional Court’s decision effectively halts the investigations led by the public prosecutor’s office into Boluarte’s alleged misconduct during her tenure as president.
- Investigations into the government’s handling of protests and other allegations will be resumed after Boluarte’s term concludes on July 28, 2026.
- Boluarte took office abruptly after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was impeached and imprisoned following his contentious attempt to dissolve Congress in December 2022.
Background
In December 2022, Peru was thrust into political turmoil when then-President Pedro Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress in a move widely criticized as an attempted coup. The resulting political upheaval led to Castillo’s impeachment and arrest, catapulting Vice President Dina Boluarte into the presidency. Her ascent marked her as Peru’s first female president. However, her term quickly encountered significant challenges, including widespread protests that demanded her resignation and criticized her administration’s policies.
These protests escalated into violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators, resulting in over 60 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights later criticized the Peruvian government’s response, noting the ‘disproportionate, indiscriminate, and lethal use of force’ as a key feature of the state’s handling of the protests.
Official Reactions
Amidst the crisis, Attorney General Patricia Benavides initiated a probe into President Boluarte and her ministers, accusing them of causing death and injuries during the protests. This investigation, among others, has now been paused by the Constitutional Court’s recent ruling.
Additionally, Boluarte has faced other legal challenges, including allegations concerning personal enrichment linked to the possession of luxury watches and high-end jewellery, infamously dubbed the ‘Rolex case’. Police raids on her home and the presidential palace in 2024 heightened the scrutiny. However, Boluarte has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting her innocence in both the protest deaths and the corruption allegations.
What’s Next
The suspension of the investigations by the Constitutional Court raises important questions about the accountability of sitting presidents and the timing of legal proceedings in political cases. With the probes set to resume only after Boluarte’s term ends, the political landscape in Peru is poised for continued uncertainty. Meanwhile, Boluarte has pledged to focus on her governance, having called for a new general election in March, despite ongoing calls for her resignation.
As Peru navigates this complex period, the international community and human rights organizations continue to closely monitor the situation, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to democratic principles.