Peru's president's home raided for luxury watches

The country's police and government officials raided the residence of Peruvian President Dina Baluarte. The operation was conducted on Saturday as part of an ongoing corruption investigation against him. The investigation is ongoing against Baluarte for allegedly concealing the information of some luxury watches.

Today's raid was jointly conducted by Peruvian police and government prosecutors. The entire campaign was telecast live on a local television channel. According to police documents, around 40 officers participated in the operation. They searched for luxury Rolex watches. Police say the president has not released information about those watches.

In the middle of this month, a media called La Ensarrona published several photos of Dina Baluarte wearing a luxury watch at various official events. The pictures are from December 2022 onwards. He assumed the presidency that month. After the release of the picture, there was a lot of criticism about it. At that time, the government informed me that the assets of President Dina Baluarte in the last two years would be reviewed.

After that, a corruption investigation started against him. Today's operation was carried out in that continuity. Peru's Supreme Court allowed this operation.

During the operation, government officials were seen surrounding the presidential residence in the Cirquillo area of Lima. It appears that the President was not at home at the time. Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adriano called the operation "unconstitutional".

The popularity of Dina Baluarte, the country's first female president, is already on the decline. In the meantime, he fell into a new political crisis due to this corruption investigation. However, even if he is accused of illegally acquiring wealth while in power, he cannot be prosecuted. According to the constitution, the trial must wait until the end of Baluarte's presidency in July 2026 or his impeachment in between.

Meanwhile, Peru's presidential office did not immediately comment on this after today's operation. But Baluarte, 61, said last week, "I entered the government palace with clean hands, and when I leave, I will leave with clean hands."

Asked how he bought such expensive watches with a government salary, Baluarte said that day, he has worked hard since the age of 18. They are bought in that sense.