Peru’s President Boluarte Under Fire After Doubling Her Own Salary Amid National Turmoil
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, already battling historic unpopularity and a surge in gang-related violence, has sparked public outrage after her government approved a 100% increase to her monthly salary, raising it to approximately $10,000.
The controversial decision was formalized in a government decree issued Wednesday, despite earlier denials from the presidency in May that any such increase was under consideration.
Boluarte, 63, now ranks among the highest-paid leaders in Latin America, after previously placing near the bottom 11th out of 12, just above Bolivia’s president. Economy Minister Raúl Pérez-Reyes defended the hike, saying it followed a comparative salary study across the region’s heads of state.
However, the timing of the announcement has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and analysts alike, especially with Boluarte’s approval rating hovering at or below 2%, according to May polling.
“This is the worst possible moment to deliver this news,” said economist Jorge Gonzáles Izquierdo on N television. “Public discontent is already sky-high.”
Former Economy Minister Luis Miguel Castilla called the decision tone-deaf:
“It reinforces the perception of frivolity in an administration struggling to maintain legitimacy.”
Boluarte, who took office in December 2022 after the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo, has faced relentless protests, public mistrust, and a dozen formal investigations — including over her alleged failure to disclose luxury gifts, such as high-end watches and designer jewelry, in a scandal dubbed “Rolexgate.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the government is also grappling with an explosion in gang violence, particularly in the north, prompting states of emergency in several regions.
Despite her pledge to restore order and transparency, critics argue the salary hike sends the wrong message to millions of Peruvians struggling amid economic hardship and rising insecurity.
The constitutional term of President Boluarte ends in 2026, but political observers warn that ongoing unrest and public dissatisfaction could pose serious challenges to her hold on power.
