LIMA – Police in Peru have raided President Dina Boluarte’s home as part of a corruption inquiry dubbed “Rolexgate”.
Authorities were searching for more than a dozen Rolex watches President Boluarte had allegedly not declared.
The investigation began after a news report drew attention to luxury watches she wore at public events, dating from when she took office in December 2022.
Peru’s government described the raid on Saturday as “disproportionate and unconstitutional”.
“The political noise that is being made is serious, affecting investments and the entire country,” Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The government comptroller announced earlier this month it would review Boluarte’s asset declarations from the past two years.
Speaking last week, Boluarte insisted she entered government “with clean hands” and that she would “leave it with clean hands”.
She said that her Rolex was an old item that she bought with the proceeds of working since she was 18.
The early-morning raid on Saturday, a joint operation between the police and the prosecutor’s office, was broadcast on local television channel Latina.
Police broke down the door of the president’s residence, apparently after calls by officials to open up and allow them to search for evidence went unanswered.
Some 20 public prosecutor officials and 20 police were involved in raids in the Lima district of Surquillo, just a few kilometers from the government palace, which was also raided.
Adrianzen said the president – who has not yet commented on the raids – was at her office.
The prime minister told the RPP radio station there was “no way” Boluarte planned to resign.
The raids came after prosecutors refused Boluarte’s request for more time to respond to a subpoena requesting her to provide proof of purchase for her watches.
Boluarte, a former lawyer, became president almost by accident after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was impeached following his attempt to dissolve Congress and rule by decree.
Castillo’s ousting sparked violent protests demanding Boluarte step down and fresh elections be held. Dozens of people were killed in clashes. (BBC)
