Peru’s Former and Current President under Investigation for Alleged Money Laundering

Peru’s former and current presidents are under investigation for alleged money laundering and the crimes committed during Peru’s 2021 presidential race.

Peruvian prosecutors are investigating President Dina Bolurate and former president, Pedro Castillo, for allegedly laundering money with affiliation to organised crime groups. The inquiry into these alleged crimes is part of an ongoing investigation of crimes committed during the Peruvian presidential campaign of 2021.

The attorney general’s office announced on Tuesday, after Castillo’s former advisor told the local media that he had financed part of Castillo’s presidential campaign in 2021, also stated Boluarte’s trips were also financed when she was running to be Castillo’s vice president. According to the attorney general office, “The alleged commission of these crimes would have occurred during the electoral campaign of Peru Libre,” referencing the Marxist party that nominated Castillo to the presidency of the Andean country.

Over the weekend, Boluarte denied the allegations of receiving illegal campaign contributions and stated that all corruption accusations were a “political maneuver” aimed to undermine her government. 

In December 2022, Castillo was removed after attempting to dissolve Congress before an impeachment vote. Boluarte became the president in the wake of his removal and arrest. Since then, Peru has been facing a political crisis. The new president has faced calls to resign and protests have erupted demanding a new election. 

Boluarte is also under investigation for her alleged role in the death of protestors, who were killed in clashes with security forces after she took the presidency. In these clashes between security forces and protestors forty-nine civilians and seven security members have died, as per the ombudsman’s office. As the president, Boluarte will not face the court until her mandate ends in 2026 even if she faces concrete charges.

Boluarte is Peru’s sixth president since March 2018 and the first woman to hold the role. The prosecutor’s announcement comes shortly before congress and will debate on Thursday on the admission of a motion to remove the president.  

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