A Pause in Legal‌ Scrutiny

Peru’s⁣ Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended all criminal investigations into​ President Dina Boluarte until the end of her term in July 2026. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, shields the nation’s first female president from ongoing probes led by the‍ public prosecutor’s office. While investigations are paused, they⁤ are slated to resume once Boluarte leaves office.

The roots of ‍the Investigations: Political Turmoil ‌and Protests

The investigations stem from a period of intense political instability⁢ that ⁢began in December 2022.then-President ​Pedro Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress, a move widely condemned as an attempted coup ⁤d’état. Castillo was afterward impeached, removed from office, and imprisoned .

Castillo’s removal sparked ⁢widespread protests across Peru,with thousands​ of protesters blocking roads and demanding his reinstatement. President Boluarte, who assumed office after Castillo’s impeachment, declared a state of emergency in response. ‌ The ensuing clashes between police and protesters resulted in over 60‍ deaths and hundreds of injuries​ .

The inter-American Commission on human Rights found ⁤evidence of⁤ a “disproportionate, indiscriminate, ​and lethal use of force” by state⁤ security forces during the protests, noting that “a significant number of victims were not even involved in the protests”.

Specific⁣ allegations and Investigations

Attorney⁤ General Patricia Benavides launched⁣ a probe in⁢ January 2023 into Boluarte’s actions and those of her ministers⁤ regarding the handling of the protests.A subsequent complaint‌ filed in November 2023 ⁢accused Boluarte of causing ⁣death and injury to protesters, with some⁤ investigations initially exploring whether the actions constituted “genocide”.

Beyond the protest-related deaths, Boluarte has also ​faced scrutiny over her personal wealth. in 2024, police raided her ​home and the ⁣presidential palace as part of the “Rolex case,” investigating reports that she possessed‍ luxury watches and jewelry seemingly beyond her official income. boluarte maintained her innocence, claiming her “hands were clean,” and Congress denied motions ⁢to impeach her over the allegations.

A separate investigation examined Boluarte’s brief absence from office in 2023, where she cited ​a “necessary and ‍essential” medical procedure. Critics ‍alleged this was a cosmetic procedure and a dereliction ⁢of duty,‌ as​ she reportedly did not properly notify Congress.

A Pattern of Instability⁣ and Investigation

Peru has experienced significant ⁣political instability in⁢ recent ⁣years,⁣ with Boluarte being⁢ the sixth president in seven years. It’s become almost commonplace for Peruvian presidents to face criminal investigations, ⁤if not outright conviction, over the past quarter-century. ‍This latest decision by the constitutional court underscores the complex interplay between political power, legal accountability, and public trust in Peru.