New troubles loom for Peru’s interim president, Dina Boluarte, as political tension intensifies and questions about legitimacy shadow her administration. The drive to remain in power through 2026 faces a new test amid allegations that cast doubt on the integrity of a key public document. Boluarte, who assumed the presidency last December after Pedro Castillo was dismissed, stands accused of presenting a text that closely mirrors another work when she was seeking public office in 2007.
The claims surfaced on a television program on Latina Noticias, in a segment that aired on Punto Final. The charge centers on the book Recognition of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, which Boluarte purportedly published in 2004. A computer-assisted review reportedly identified that roughly more than half of the content appears to have been drawn from existing theses, monographs, and academic articles. The materials in question were published in various Latin American contexts, including Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina. In addition, a portion of the content—twelve consecutive pages—was said to replicate sections from the analysis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by Gisele Jaquenod de Giusti, originating from another country.
The complaint argues that the publication did not consistently credit bibliographies or standard citation practices, and that the work had appeared on Boluarte’s professional résumé during her tenure as Minister for Development and Social Inclusion in 2021, though it reportedly disappeared from her record when she ascended to the presidency. This revelation comes at a delicate moment in Peruvian politics, where questions about accountability and transparency are central to ongoing debates about governance and legitimacy.
government response
Interior Minister Vicente Romero commented that authorities are pursuing the matter through established channels, emphasizing the system of checks and balances that characterizes Peru’s institutions. He noted that the state features independent powers and that when the Public Ministry acts, investigations proceed accordingly, and the administration simply awaits results. These remarks signal an effort to reassure the public that due process is at work, even as political tensions continue to mount.
Nonetheless, a prominent Lima newspaper asserted that at the time of writing, no formal investigation had been opened into the alleged plagiarism. This discrepancy between journalistic reporting and official action underscores the fragility of the situation as Peru faces a volatile political climate. The country has recently seen intense protests, particularly concentrated in southern regions, with the capital enduring pressure from factions demanding snap elections and a dissolution of Congress. The broader backdrop is a campaign season in which opposition groups are pressing for changes that could reshape the executive and legislative balance.
The political narrative has grown increasingly complex as demonstrations intensified in the months leading up to a critical transitional period. The epicenters of unrest have included major urban centers and have driven calls for leadership changes that would alter the trajectory of the current administration. Observers warn that any abrupt cabinet reshuffle or policy shift could influence perceptions of Boluarte’s legitimacy and the stability of Peru’s young government, complicating efforts to navigate a path forward amid mounting demands for accountability and reform.
As the calendar approaches a milestone in Peru’s political calendar, Boluarte faces another anticipated cabinet reshuffle, with expectations that a significant restructuring could be announced in the near term. The evolution of the situation remains fluid, and many observers expect further developments in the days ahead that could alter the balance of power and shape the country’s governance landscape. The response from lawmakers and opposition groups will be closely watched as Peru continues to grapple with questions about transparency, governance, and the mechanisms by which public figures are held to account.