Peru's Rolex political scandal worsens after six ministers resign, replaced

In the midst of a new political controversy involving expensive watches that targets her, Peru’s president removed six ministers on Monday, adding additional volatility to the country’s already unstable politics.

The investigation into President Dina Boluarte’s alleged criminal enrichment—she is being probed over her expensive Rolex watches—led to a wave of resignations, among them the interior minister.

Over the weekend, prosecutors and police raided the beleaguered leader’s house and office in an attempt to find proof about the provenance of at least three Rolex watches. Boluarte has maintained that she paid for the watches out of her own pocket and denied any wrongdoing.

On Monday, Interior Minister Victor Torres announced his resignation, which was followed by those of the education and women’s ministers. Some called the police raid on the president’s house “excessive” and “unnecessary,” while others expressed sympathy for Boluarte.

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“I’m leaving in peace with my hands clean,” Torres told reporters, insisting that his resignation was due to “family and health issues.” The other two ministers did not give reasons for their resignations.

On Monday evening, Boluarte announced three additional resignations from her cabinet, including the production, trade and agriculture ministers. She named six new ministers in total - replacing roughly a third of her 19-person cabinet in a single day.

Among the new appointments, Walter Ortiz, who previously led the interior ministry’s organized crime unit, will now take over as minister, a key security official in charge of the national police.

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The resignations come as Boluarte’s prime minister, who took office last month, aims to win a vote of support from Congress, as is customary, with the president’s government fearful that the opposition-controlled legislative body might deny the prime minister its support.

A former vice president, Boluarte ascended to the presidency in late 2022 as the sixth president in six years following President Pedro Castillo’s removal and arrest on charges of rebellion and conspiracy.