Government agents raid the residence of Peruvian President Boluarte in an investigation into luxury watches

Television images swept Peru late Friday of government agents from an investigative team storming the president's residence with a sledgehammer in a raid authorized by the judiciary at the request of the prosecutor's office.

In Bulwarti She has been subjected to a preliminary investigation for possessing an undeclared collection of luxury watches since she came to power in July 2021 as Vice President and Minister of Social Inclusion, then as President in December 2022.

She initially claimed ownership of at least one Rolex watch as antique property acquired through “personal gain” since the age of 18, and urged the media not to delve into personal matters.

Earlier in the week, Public Prosecutor Juan Villena criticized Boluarte's request to postpone her court appearance for two weeks, stressing her commitment to cooperate with the investigation.

Political unrest is nothing new in Peru, which has seen six presidents in the past five years. But many see Bolwart's latest statements as contradicting her previous pledge to speak honestly to prosecutors, exacerbating the political crisis caused by her unjustified ownership of Rolex watches.

There were at least 49 people Killed in protests That followed.

Critics accuse Bolwarti's government of taking an increasingly authoritarian streak while trying to avoid it Demands for early elections He works with members of Congress on laws that threaten to undermine the independence of Peru's judicial system.