LIMA – President Dina Boluarte has doubled her monthly salary to 35,500 soles ($10,000), triggering public backlash as her approval rating sits at just 2%.
The decision was announced through an executive decree signed by Boluarte. The pay hike makes her one of the highest-paid heads of state in Latin America despite Peru’s worsening public trust in her leadership.
Boluarte, who assumed office in December 2022 after the impeachment of President Pedro Castillo, did not win a public mandate. Her presidency has faced criticism over governance, lack of transparency, and repeated allegations of misconduct.
Economy Minister Raúl Pérez Reyes defended the raise, stating the president’s previous salary was among the lowest in the region. Only Bolivia’s president earned less, he said.
But the announcement has ignited public anger. Critics say the move reflects a disregard for Peru’s economic hardships, where the minimum monthly wage remains at 1,025 soles ($288). Boluarte’s new salary is 35 times higher.
During a recent visit to Arequipa, protesters hurled eggs and rocks at her motorcade. The scene has been widely circulated on social media, with users calling the pay raise “tone-deaf” and “insulting.”
The president is currently under investigation for two separate allegations: receiving undeclared luxury gifts and leaving her office unattended during a medical procedure without appointing a caretaker. She denies any wrongdoing.
In a nation grappling with rising crime and a stagnant economy, Boluarte’s administration has struggled to restore public confidence. Analysts point to a widening gap between government leadership and citizen needs, noting the absence of urgent reforms or improvements in public services.
Boluarte has not responded directly to the public criticism surrounding her salary increase.
The decree takes immediate effect, further fueling debate over leadership accountability in a country still reeling from political instability.
