Kathmandu. The Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has been suspended from the parliament for impeachment proceedings over the alleged illegal gift of a ‘Rolexgate’ watch. A parliamentary investigation subcommittee has ruled that there is no truth to the accusation that she illegally received the watch as a gift (intrusion) but that the watch was purchased by a friend of the president, saving her from facing corruption charges and impeachment.
With this, Peru’s Congress has suspended the corruption investigation against her. Hearing the allegations, the subcommittee recommended on Friday that the case, which could further damage the president’s deep unpopularity, be dismissed. The case against Boluarte, 62, may still be open when she leaves office and loses her presidential immunity in July 2026.
The so-called “Rolexgate” scandal began in March 2024 when the president was found to have an undeclared stash of expensive Rolex watches and jewelry. Boluarte told prosecutors that the watches were paid for by a friend, but the attorney general formally charged them to Congress as assets obtained through bribery. President Deena wore watches worth between $14,000 and $25,000. The watch was seen as a bribe, sparking controversy in Peru.
The president, who has a single-digit approval rating, has no party or leadership in parliament but is backed by the ruling conservative parties. He faces a separate investigation into his unannounced two-week absence in 2023 for a nose job, which he said was for medical reasons rather than cosmetic purposes.
Peru has been plagued by political instability and has had six presidents in the past eight years. Boluarte took office in December 2022, replacing leftist President Pedro Castillo. He was Castillo’s vice president. The next presidential and legislative elections in Peru will be held in April 2026.
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