The Peruvian Public Ministry and Division of Investigation of High Complexity Crimes (DIVIAC) have instigated an investigation into President Dina Boluarte over concerns of undeclared assets. This inquiry, known as the ‘Rolex Case’, instigated a search operation at both Boluarte’s residence and the Government Palace which commenced Friday evening and concluded the following morning.
The backdrop of this operation began with a preliminary proceeding against the President launched by the Public Prosecutor’s Office on March 18. The charges revolve around allegations of illicit enrichment and failure to declare assets, specifically a series of Rolex watches in Boluarte’s possession that had not been declared. Independent media organizations reported sightings of the President at multiple official events sporting up to three different Rolex watches, with initial values ranging from $6,000 to $20,000 according to watch collectors.
Supporting this operation was a judicial order issued by Supreme Judge Checkley Soria. The order was backed by evidence including a statement from the manager of Casa Banchero – Peru’s only official distributor of Rolex watches. The company denied selling any Rolex watches to Boluarte and highlighted that verifying the authenticity of the watches would require expert inspection.
In response to the allegations, Boluarte, who had previously declared her willingness to cooperate, had allegedly obstructed previous proceedings by failing to attend scheduled hearings and declining to present the watches on the stipulated date.
The subsequent search stretch across two locations; the President’s residence and the Government Palace. Following these legal searches, a variety of assets were seized. However, the Public Prosecutor’s Office did not disclose further details after the completion of the operation.
Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén, taking umbrage at the operation, dubbed it as an attack on the President’s dignity. During a press conference, he went on to denounce the search as ‘disproportionate, unjustified, illegal, and unconstitutional.’ These investigations were also described as a threat to democratic institutionalism by the justice minister.This case has sparked the attention of the Congressional Oversight and Control Commission. Both the Attorney General and the Comptroller General of the Republic were summoned on the occasion. The Commission aims to gather data on the preliminary proceedings and actions taken. Multiple congressmen, post-investigation, have shown their support for a potential presidential vacancy and the advancement of elections.