LIMA: Peruvian authorities raided President Dina Boluarte’s home on Saturday as part of an ongoing corruption investigation related to undisclosed luxury watches. According to a police document obtained by AFP, about 40 officials were involved in the raid, which was searching for Rolex watches that Boluarte had not publicly declared. The raid “is for the purpose of search and seizure,” police said.

The embattled president did not appear to be home at the time. Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen slammed the raid as an “intolerable outrage” and “disproportionate and unconstitutional.” Authorities launched an investigation into Boluarte this month after a news outlet drew attention to pictures of her sporting luxury watches at public events.

Saturday’s raid, a joint operation between the police and the prosecutor’s office, was broadcast on local television channel Latina. Government agents could be seen surrounding the house in the Surquillo District of the capital Lima while officers blocked oncoming traffic.

The surprise, early-morning raid was requested by the public prosecutor and authorized by the Supreme Court of Preparatory Investigation. It came after prosecutors refused Boluarte’s request for more time to respond to a subpoena demanding she furnish proof of purchase for her watches.

‘Clean hands’

Already facing declining approval ratings, Boluarte has been plunged into a fresh political crisis with the launch of the probe into whether she has illegally enriched herself while in office. If she is indicted in the case, a trial could not take place until after her term ends in July 2026 or she is impeached, according to the constitution.

Dozens of journalists descended on the president’s house on Saturday but prosecutors and officials at the scene did not respond to questions. The Peruvian president’s office also did not react immediately.

The scandal erupted after local news outlet “La Encerrona” reported in mid-March that Boluarte had worn various Rolex timepieces at official events. The outlet drew attention to the watches with pictures dating from December 2022, when Boluarte took office.

The government comptroller later announced it would review Boluarte’s asset declarations from the past two years to search for any irregularities. Boluarte, 61, has staunchly defended herself. “I entered the Government Palace with clean hands, and I will leave it with clean hands,” she said last week.

Responding to questions about how she could afford such expensive timepieces on a public salary, she said they were a product of working hard since she was 18 years old. The lawyer and former vice president became Peru’s first woman president after leftist leader Pedro Castillo tried to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, leading to his quick ouster and arrest. Violent protests demanding Boluarte step down and fresh elections be held followed, with almost 50 people killed in the ensuing crackdown. — AFP