Peruvian prosecutors are looking into President Dina Boluarte and former President Pedro Castillo for allegedly laundering money as part of a criminal organization, according to a tweet from the attorney general’s office on Tuesday.
The investigation into the alleged crimes committed by Boluarte and Castillo is part of a larger investigation into alleged campaign finance violations committed during Peru’s presidential election in 2021.
The announcement comes after a former Castillo adviser told local media that he funded a portion of Castillo’s presidential campaign in 2021, as well as trips for Boluarte when she ran for Castillo’s vice president.
“The alleged commission of these crimes would have occurred during the electoral campaign of Peru Libre,” the attorney general’s office said, referring to the Marxist party that propelled Castillo to the Andean country’s presidency.
Castillo was impeached in December after attempting to dissolve Congress prior to an impeachment vote. Following his removal and arrest, Boluarte ascended to the presidency.
Boluarte denied receiving illegal campaign contributions over the weekend, calling the allegations of corruption a “political maneuver” to undermine her government.
Boluarte is also being investigated for her alleged role in the deaths of protesters killed in clashes with security forces in the months following her election.
