Lima, Peru – A rhinoplasty procedure undertaken by Peruvian president Dina Boluarte in the summer of 2023 has ignited a political firestorm, with lawmakers accusing her of negligence and some demanding her resignation.
The controversy, which has been simmering on social media and in the press, gained renewed traction this week when former prime minister Alberto Otarola confirmed the details to a congressional oversight commission.
The summer surgery that sparked controversy
Speaking before lawmakers on Tuesday, Otarola disclosed that President Boluarte, 62, underwent the nose surgery for what she claimed were medical reasons. “She told me she was going to get a rhinoplasty—a surgery on the nose—but for breathing problems,” Otarola said.
Otarola said that during her recovery period, Boluarte carried out her duties virtually.
“There was no absence of power at that time, because the surgical procedure had no major complications,” added Otarola, who was dismissed by Boluarte in March.
The commission is investigating Boluarte’s unexplained absence between June 28 and July 10, 2023, a period when she vanished from public life without delegating her presidential powers to Congress. Reports suggest she underwent the procedure at a private clinic in Lima during this time.
Debate over delegation of duties
While Otarola defended Boluarte’s actions, stating she carried out her duties virtually and that “there was no absence of power at that time,” critics remain unconvinced. Detractors argue that the president’s failure to inform Congress or temporarily transfer her powers constitutes a constitutional violation.
“It would be cause for dismissal… because the president should have asked permission from Congress,” said Juan Burgos, head of the congressional oversight commission.
However, not everyone is on board with the escalating rhetoric. Patricia Juarez, vice president of Congress, dismissed the uproar as “a storm in a glass of water,” suggesting the incident had been overblown.
A presidency plagued by scandal
The rhinoplasty debacle is just the latest controversy in Boluarte’s tumultuous presidency. She is under investigation for allegedly accepting bribes in the form of luxury Rolex watches and is also accused of responsibility for the deaths of more than 50 protesters during a crackdown on demonstrations demanding she resign and call fresh elections in 2022.
Public discontent with Boluarte is widespread, with her approval rating languishing at a dismal 5%.
Boluarte’s term is scheduled to end in July 2026, but with the ongoing inquiries and mounting public dissatisfaction, her presidency remains on shaky ground.
As lawmakers continue their investigation into her conduct, the nose job that sparked the latest controversy has become emblematic of the broader governance and accountability issues facing the embattled president.
