Police raid president's home seeking watches
Police and prosecutors in Peru carried out a surprise raid at the home of President Dina Boluarte and the presidential palace early Saturday as part of an “unlawful enrichment” investigation into news reports that she had been seen wearing Rolex watches since taking office.
The raid, which came as Peruvians were celebrating the Holy Week holiday, shocked many people, even in a country that has grown accustomed over the past two decades to politicians investigated for alleged corruption.
Before midnight Good Friday, police used a battering ram to force their way into Boluarte's home in Lima, according to live coverage on Latina Noticias. Prosecutors and police then searched Boluarte's office and residence in the presidential palace.
The president had failed to appear this past week for a scheduled appointment with prosecutors to show them three Rolex watches she has worn and to explain how she obtained them.
She also refused to allow them into her house to execute a search warrant, according to Attorney General Juan Villena, who told lawmakers that her refusal was “a clear indicator of rebellion.”
The investigation into Boluarte began March 18, after online news program “La Encerrona” revealed that she had started wearing increasingly expensive watches, including at least one Rolex, since taking office in December 2022. Prosecutors suspect her of violating the country's laws against unlawful enrichment and failing to declare assets. In Peru, elected authorities must report to the government any assets worth more than 10,300 soles (about $2,774) and disclose any gifts received from third parties.
Local news outlets have since reported that Boluarte has worn three other Rolex watches, as well as a $50,000 Cartier bracelet, and that banking authorities have detected about $300,000 in deposits of unknown origin made to her personal accounts before she took office.
The model of Rolex watches she has reportedly worn costs at least $14,000, according to “La Encerrona.”