'Rolex Scandal' Peruvian President Says "The Watch Was Borrowed"

"Currently Returned" Explanation

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, facing impeachment over the ‘Rolex watch’ scandal, explained that her expensive watches were ‘borrowed.’

On the 5th (local time), according to foreign media reports, President Boluarte, who underwent a prosecution investigation for over five hours regarding her possession of luxury watches, testified that except for one luxury watch, the others were borrowed from friends.

President Boluarte delivering a speech in Lima last February.
[Photo by Reuters/Yonhap News]

Earlier, immediately after the prosecution investigation, President Boluarte stated in a public address, “It was wrong to borrow this watch,” and claimed that she has since returned it. She explained that her friend lent her the watch hoping she would wear it and demonstrate her determination to properly represent the country.

President Boluarte is accused of illegal asset accumulation and failure to report public official assets. She wore at least 14 watches, including a Rolex worth $14,000 (approximately 18.75 million KRW), which is more than three times her salary, during official events over about two years (including her time as vice president). Reports emerged questioning the acquisition process of these watches, leading to the prosecution’s investigation.

Her salary was $8,136 when she served concurrently as vice president and Minister of Social Development, and $4,200 as president.

The prosecution conducted searches of the president’s residence and the presidential palace, followed by summoning President Boluarte for questioning.

President Boluarte mocked the prosecution investigation as “lies” and a “smokescreen,” insisting that the prosecution should conduct a more professional investigation.

The prosecution revealed that they also found a Cartier bracelet worth $50,000, but President Boluarte denied this, claiming it was merely cheap costume jewelry.

Peru Can Proceed with Impeachment under Moral Incapacity Clause

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte attending the APEC CEO Summit in San Francisco, USA, last November.
[Photo by EPA/ Yonhap News]

Subsequently, an impeachment motion was filed by opposition lawmakers, and two votes were held in Congress on the 4th, both of which were rejected. This is interpreted as conservative and right-wing lawmakers openly supporting President Boluarte.

Opposition lawmaker Margot Palacios stated on social media, “To exercise the congressional function of controlling the executive branch, we filed an impeachment motion against Boluarte on grounds of moral incapacity due to issues involving luxury watches and jewelry.”

The Peruvian constitution allows impeachment proceedings under the vague ‘moral incapacity’ clause, which does not require evidence of illegal acts. In the 130-member lower house, an impeachment motion passes with 87 votes.

Since 2018, six presidents have held office, but none have completed the full five-year term. Among them, President Manuel Merino, who took office in 2020, resigned after only five days in power. President Boluarte has survived four impeachment attempts since taking office in 2022, including the recent vote.

Meanwhile, President Boluarte is also under investigation for allegedly ordering or allowing harsh suppression of protesters opposing the impeachment of former President Castillo, which resulted in the deaths of about 50 people.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.