By Henry Nwaneri
The Interior Minister of Peru Victor Torres resigned on Monday, two days after police under his command raided the home and office of President Dina Boluarte, in connection with the ongoing investigation on how she obtained Rolex watches she has been seen wearing.
Although, it was reported that none of the supposed Rolex watches were found in the dramatic raids carried out Friday night into Saturday.
Victor Torres said after a cabinet meeting that he was stepping down for personal reasons.
His departure was widely perceived to be an aftermath of the weekend raids targeting the president, though he said his departure was coordinated with Boluarte. “I am leaving because I asked the lady and she accepted,” Torres told reporters.
He has also taken much criticism in the congress over a sudden increase in street crime.
READ ALSO: Nigeria: Despite Unstable Power Supply In 2023, Discos Raked In Over N1trn Profit
Dina Boluarte came to power in December 2022 after then president Pedro Castillo tried to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, leading to his arrest and violent protests demanding she step down, and that fresh elections be held.
Boluarte is also facing a constitutional complaint over a crackdown on those protests which led to the deaths of more than 50 people.
If she is indicted in the Rolex case, a trial could not take place until after her term ends in July 2026 or she is impeached, according to the constitution.
Congress potentially could seek her dismissal on grounds of “moral incapacity,” but that would require the unlikely cooperation of the right-leaning groups that control the legislature — and are Boluarte’s main support — with their left-wing rivals.
