Rolexgate and the Political Tsunami: Lessons from Peru’s Power Meltdown

 

In Lima, Congress voted 122 to 8 to remove President Dina Boluarte, Peru’s first female leader and one of the most unpopular presidents in Latin America. The charge was “permanent moral incapacity,” but the real story is one of arrogance, corruption, and a deepening democratic collapse.

Boluarte’s presidency was plagued by scandal. She doubled her salary while the country struggled, allegedly accepted luxury watches as gifts, and presided over protests that left dozens dead. The country has now seen six presidents since 2018—three of them imprisoned, one impeached, and all tainted by corruption or incompetence.

Peru’s crisis is not just about one leader. It reflects a pattern in which every government falls to the same disease: greed, mistrust, and revenge politics. Congress itself, deeply unpopular and accused of corruption, overthrows presidents in the name of morality but offers no moral alternative.

The lesson from Peru is simple and painful. Corruption is not just stealing money; it is the slow death of moral authority. Once citizens believe everyone in power is corrupt, democracy turns into musical chairs—leaders come and go, but the system never changes.

Boluarte’s decision to double her pay and flaunt luxury gifts during hardship sealed her fate. In times of crisis, symbols matter more than speeches. When people see their leaders living far above them, anger turns into rebellion

Inequality Vs Accountability

There is a warning here for every country where inequality grows faster than accountability. Once trust collapses, even a minor scandal can bring down a president. Social media becomes the new parliament, protests replace elections, and the word “reform” loses meaning.

In the end, Boluarte’s Rolexes became more than jewellery. They were the ticking clock of a presidency running out of time. The gossip was about watches and wages, but the truth was about distance—the distance between rulers and the ruled.

Peru’s political earthquake reminds the world that democracy cannot survive on procedures alone. It needs humility, fairness, and a moral centre. When those disappear, every government, no matter how strong, stands on sand.

Every Rolex tells the same time in the end—the hour of accountability.