Six of the eighteen ministers in Peru’s government announced their resignations on Monday, amidst an investigation against President Dina Boluarte for alleged illicit enrichment linked to her possession of Rolex watches.

“The decision to leave was mine, and Madam (Boluarte) accepted it,” said Interior Minister Victor Torres upon exiting the presidential palace after a cabinet meeting. Torres, in office since November 21, cited "family problems" for his departure.

Hours later, ministers responsible for Education, Women’s Affairs, Agricultural Development, Production, and Foreign Trade also announced their resignations, though they did not provide reasons.

This wave of resignations occurred on the eve of Wednesday’s confidence vote in the new Prime Minister Gustavo Andriánsen and his government by parliament. Andriánsen, a 57-year-old centrist diplomat, replaced Alberto Otárola, who is under investigation for unfair influence.

President Boluarte appointed six new ministers overnight to replace those who resigned.

This significant cabinet departure also followed two days after an investigation at Boluarte’s residence and presidential office by about 40 police officers and judicial officials. They were searching for Rolex watches that the president is suspected of not declaring in her asset statement.

The scandal broke on March 15 when a local news website published photos showing Boluarte wearing various luxury watches while in government during 2021 and 2022. The new Prime Minister described the investigation as "an intolerable affront to the dignity of the presidency and the nation it represents." Following the surprise raids on Saturday, the prosecutor's office has summoned Boluarte to present the watches in her possession this Friday. Her defense maintains that although some watches were found during the operations, none were Rolex.

The opposition is calling for Boluarte's removal, but it lacks the majority in Congress, controlled by right-wing parties. “If Madam (Boluarte) leaves, Peru will sink,” commented the resigned Interior Minister. “The lady has nothing to hide. I leave in peace, with clean hands,” added Victor Torres. The new Interior Minister, Walter Ortiz Acosta, is a retired police general who previously led the fight against organized crime.

Dina Boluarte, 61, assured that she has “clean hands” and owns only one watch. She became president following the early December 2022 impeachment and arrest of leftist head of state Pedro Castillo, of whom she was vice president. Boluarte is already under investigation for "genocide, homicide with aggravating circumstances, and causing serious injuries" following the deaths of over 50 people during two months of social unrest that accompanied her rise to power.

Should charges be pressed against her, the Peruvian president, according to the Constitution, cannot be tried before the end of her term in July 2026.