2024-04-06 03:55:02
Ausland „Rolexgate“ in Peru
The President wears imitation jewelry and only wants luxury watches on loan
As of: 05:55 a.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte shows her watch after questioning in Lima
Source: AFP/STRINGER
Peru’s President Boluarte is questioned by the public prosecutor’s office after a house search. “Rolexgate” is about expensive watches, a bracelet, necklaces and earrings. Your latest explanation sounds different than anything previously known.
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte said she was questioned for five hours by the public prosecutor’s office on suspicion of illegal enrichment. She then said in a televised speech that she had to admit to a mistake: that she had accepted several watches on loan from the governor of the Ayacucho department, Wilfredo Oscorima, who was her friend. She has since returned them, said Boluarte.
However, the accusation that she wears expensive jewelry from luxury brands is false. Boluarte showed off several pieces of jewelry — a bracelet, two pairs of earrings, two necklaces and a ring. These are from different brands than what was claimed. The prosecution had drawn attention to a Cartier bracelet that was worth about $50,000. Boluarte said it was just a cheap imitation. She owns jewelry from the Peruvian company Unique.
During her TV appearance, the president held out her forearm to viewers to demonstrate that what was supposed to be a fourth Rolex watch was actually a much cheaper Jacques du Manoir wristwatch that she bought in Switzerland.
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Boluarte’s house was searched on Good Friday. Peruvian media had reported that the 61-year-old wore expensive Rolex watches in public, which she could hardly afford on her salary.
Boluarte initially said one of the clocks was an old piece and pointed out that she had been working since she was 18. One of her lawyers said the watch could have come from an “enamored fan.” A minister had said the jewels were paid for with savings. On Monday, six ministers resigned – a connection to the affair surrounding the president was obvious, but was not officially confirmed.
Boluarte appeared at the public prosecutor’s office in Lima on Friday. According to the agency’s statement, she testified before Attorney General Juan Carlos Villena. In addition to the suspicion of illegal enrichment, there is also the fact that the use of certain watches and jewelry was not correctly declared.
The predecessor had attempted a coup
Boluarte said Friday that she did not have to declare the watches in a statement of assets and income because they did not belong to her. She called the allegations “eyewash” that damaged the reputation of the South American country. She had previously accused the press of harassment and suggested a sexist background.
Boluarte has been interim president since December 2022. As vice president at the time, she became the first woman to become head of state and government of the Andean country after President Pedro Castillo was removed from office and arrested. Castillo had dissolved Congress and was accused of an attempted coup.
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