Inquiry focuses on the failure to communicate to Congress about the country’s president’s absence for proceedings
The Peruvian Attorney General’s Office announced on Thursday (Dec 5, 2024) that it had started a preliminary investigation against the president. She is accused of “omission of public functions” e “abandonment of office”. The investigation focuses on Boluarte’s failure to communicate his temporary absence to Congress due to nose surgery in July 2023.
The absence took place from June 29 to July 9, during which Boluarte underwent a surgical procedure. The prosecutor’s office stated that the investigation aims to clarify the failure to communicate about Boluarte’s temporary impediment to perform his duties.
The situation gained prominence on Tuesday (Dec 3, 2024), when Alberto Otárola, Boluarte’s former chief of staff, revealed to a Congressional committee about the president’s rhinoplasty. Otárola defended Boluarte, explaining that the surgery was performed due to breathing problems and did not result in absence from presidential duties.
The government criticized the investigation, considering it an attempt to destabilize the constitutional order. Otárola, fired in March over accusations of sexual abuse and influence peddling, was accused of disloyalty by the government.
Boluarte’s popularity faces challenges, with disapproval rates reaching nearly 95% in some polls. The president seeks to maintain the stability of her government until the end of her term, in July 2026.
Legal experts and parliamentarians argue that failure to report your absence could constitute a constitutional infraction, potentially leading to impeachment proceedings.
