Dina Boluarte’s turbulent presidency came to an end early Friday when Peru’s Congress voted to remove her from office, capping nearly three years of controversy, protests, and plummeting public support.
The 63-year-old lawyer and mother of two from the mountainous Apurímac region made history in 2022 as Peru’s first female president, rising from the vice presidency after then-President Pedro Castillo was ousted and arrested for attempting to dissolve Congress.
Boluarte, who once positioned herself as a steadying force, instead presided over one of Peru’s most volatile political periods. Castillo’s arrest sparked widespread protests, especially in rural and Indigenous regions that had strongly supported him.
The government’s harsh crackdown on demonstrators, which left dozens dead, drew international condemnation and accusations of human rights violations.
Boluarte defended the security forces’ actions, insisting they acted within the law, though she later faced investigations over the killings.
Her tenure was further marred by corruption scandals. Authorities investigated her over undeclared luxury watches and jewelry, while her brother was placed in pre-trial detention on corruption charges.
In July, she also drew public outrage for doubling her own salary amid economic hardship and rising crime.
Despite these challenges and an approval rating hovering at just 2–3%, Boluarte managed to cling to power for nearly two years, longer than many expected in Peru’s notoriously unstable political climate, where seven presidents have held office since 2016.
Her downfall came late Thursday when Congress convened an emergency session to debate four impeachment motions citing “moral incapacity.” Boluarte, who had refused to appear before lawmakers, was voted out shortly after midnight, ending her term that was originally set to run until July 2026.
Her removal followed months of growing discontent over soaring crime rates, youth-led protests, and corruption allegations. Demonstrations in Lima and other cities had become increasingly common, including rallies led by Gen Z activists demanding her resignation.
Boluarte’s exit closes a contentious chapter in Peru’s political saga, one defined by broken promises, street unrest, and a deepening public mistrust of the country’s leaders.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
