This is the worst time to announce this news, given her approval ratings are close to zero
Peru’s embattled President Dina Boluarte has approved a salary doubling to approximately $10,000 per month, just over a year before her term ends, according to an official decree announced Wednesday.
The 63-year-old leader, whose approval rating reportedly hovers around 2 percent, faces criticism amid escalating gang violence and ongoing public discontent. Economy Minister Raúl Pérez-Reyes defended the raise, stating it aligns with pay levels of presidents in other Latin American nations.
The decision has drawn sharp rebuke. Economist Jorge Gonzáles Izquierdo said, “This is the worst time to announce this news, given her approval ratings are close to zero.” Former Economy Minister Luis Miguel Castilla added that the move “reinforces the impression of frivolity” surrounding her administration.
Boluarte’s presidency has been marred by widespread protests since December 2022, scandals including a jewelry controversy, and several ongoing investigations. Critics argue the raise highlights a disconnect between the government and the country’s struggling population.