SAO PAULO, Brazil – Peru has faced a new political crisis in the country in recent weeks amid rising poverty rates and public dissatisfaction with the government, with an investigation underway into President Dina Bolarte's alleged enrichment. . The South American country's bishop couldn't help but mention this in his Easter message to Catholics.
The crisis erupted after the broadcast of an online news program La Encelona Video footage of Mr. Bolarte's Rolex watches and other luxury items was displayed. Although Bolarte wore it in public, he did not comply with Peruvian law and did not declare ownership of it to authorities.
Bolarte also failed to provide evidence of legal ownership of the watch to state prosecutors, who refused to meet him last week. During the first hour of March 30, police personnel and prosecutors searched the presidential residence and government palace. Investigators found about 10 luxury watches, Bolarte's lawyer said.
Mr. Bolarte, who was chosen as President Pedro Castillo's vice president, took office after announcing a shutdown of Congress in an attempt to deal with the overwhelming political crisis, which led to his impeachment and detention in December 2022.
Massive protests followed, particularly in the southern Andes region, where Castillo himself is from. Bolarte's government responded to demonstrations with violence, with at least 60 demonstrators killed in riots in December and January, 23 of them in Puno.
Pressure from local organizations, including church groups, and domestic human rights activists led to investigations into crimes, including genocide and murder, against Bolarte and other authorities and police personnel.
Now, the Rolex incident further complicates an already struggling situation for Bolarte. She currently has the lowest approval rating of any leader in Latin America, with her approval rating at just 9 percent.
In his Easter message released on March 31st, Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos expressed his “Joy of Easter'' and “Despite the alarming situation affecting our country, there is clearly a path to light and hope.'' The comparison was made with “not doing so”.
“Recent events related to prosecutorial investigations and judicial decisions that have caused uproar in the country represent an opportunity to seriously reflect on the fundamental values that underpin our society, and that we must strive for truth,” the letter said. It should illuminate the path for us.” .
Cabrejos called for “honest dialogue” and a balance between different state powers, necessary to ensure “governance and social and political stability.”
In recent years, Peruvians have faced continued political turmoil, with six presidents in six years. Despite the country's success in reducing poverty over the past decade, the COVID-19 pandemic and institutional instability have pushed hundreds of thousands of people back into poverty over the past few years.
Bolarte's Rolex scandal was particularly jarring for many because she wore an $18,000 watch to an event about poverty and marginalized groups in February.
Edwin Poire Huanca, who has lived and worked in the diocese of Juliaca for 23 years and heads the local civil society organization Fe y Derecos Huanos (Faith and Human Rights), said the Rolex incident was the last straw for Bolarte. It may be.
“We hope that justice will be served for so many victims of last year's protests. But Bolarte may be caught with a luxury watch,” Poiret said. core.
In Juliaca alone, 19 demonstrators were killed in January 2023. Poiret and other human rights activists said police personnel from Lima and other coastal cities were sent specifically to the region, and other Andean regions, to respond violently to the demonstrators.
“Only the poor workers died. Dozens of survivors still have bullets in their bodies, but local doctors do not want to remove them. If they do, they will file a report with the prosecutor's office and others. Because we need to send them,” Poiret said.
A national committee was established in February by victims' relatives and human rights activists. Poiret said the group was frustrated by the fact that the prosecutor in charge of the case changed five times last year, slowing the process.
“I hope that Mr. Bolarte and other authorities will be held accountable for their actions, as well as the police officers who intentionally killed protesters,” he said.
These groups also demand that survivors, like the victims' relatives, be treated appropriately by the state and receive some form of compensation.
“Many were seriously injured and can no longer work. Some of the protesters killed left children and babies unaided,” he said.
Poiret said activists are also calling on the state to create an official commemoration program to ensure that these events are not forgotten.
“If Dina Bolarte is impeached, we must ensure that new elections are held. Otherwise, Congress will continue to wield disproportionate power in Peru. ” he said.
“Only with truth and justice can we build a more united and hopeful Peru, strengthening democracy and pursuing the well-being of all,” Cabrejos said in an Easter statement. concluded.
