By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Barely four days after her inauguration, Peru’s first female President, Dina Boluarte on Saturday swore in her cabinet members with an urge to shun corruption and illicit accumulation of wealth within the period of their service.
The cabinet appointment comes amidst demonstrations across the country calling for her resignation and the scheduling of general elections following the ouster of democratically-elected former President Pedro Castillo.
Boluarte took office on Wednesday after Castillo was sacked by Congress and later arrested on charges of rebellion and conspiracy over his attempt to dissolve the parliament to prevent an impeachment vote.
During their swearing-in ceremony, Boluarte asked each of the nine men and eight women to swear or promise to perform their duties “loyally and faithfully without committing acts of corruption.”
All cabinet members knelt before her and wore red-and-white sashes tied around their waists. A large crucifix was placed in front of most cabinet members.
The new cabinet is made up of technocrats who are politically independent rather than partisan figures.
The president’s new chief of staff is a former prosecutor who specialized in corruption cases.
Even as demonstrators demand election, Boluarte said the national unity government will be for all Peruvians.’
“I want to assure you that I have worked hard to form a ministerial cabinet for unity and democratic consolidation (and) that is at the level of what the country requires,” she said.
Boluarte has earlier said she should be allowed to hold the office until July 2026. However, protesters are demanding the closure of Congress and that the country hold a democratic election rather than recognize Boluarte and allow her to finish Castillo’s term.
They are also demanding that a new constitution be drafted. Peru has had six presidents in the last six years, including three in a single week in 2020 when Congress flexed its impeachment powers.
