WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
Dina Boluarte is the first woman to serve as the president of Peru, a country historically dominated by male politicians. She was born on May 31, 1962, in Chalhuanca, Apurímac. Coming from a modest background, Boluarte studied law at San Martín de Porres University in Lima, where she earned her degree before working for several years at the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC). During her years at RENIEC, she gained significant experience in public administration and established herself as a dedicated and competent civil servant.
Before fully entering politics, Boluarte was not widely known by the public. However, she garnered attention by joining the left-wing political party Perú Libre, led by Vladimir Cerrón, during the 2021 general elections. It was under this banner that she was elected vice president alongside President Pedro Castillo. She also served as the Minister of Development and Social Inclusion in Castillo’s administration, working on projects aimed at reducing inequality and improving living conditions for the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Her role as vice president was crucial during a presidency marked by constant political crises, corruption allegations, and governance difficulties. Although she initially supported Pedro Castillo, Boluarte gradually distanced herself from him, expressing disagreements with some of his policies and his handling of tensions with Congress. Her more moderate and pragmatic approach set her apart within an otherwise turbulent government.
On December 7, 2022, Pedro Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress in a desperate move to avoid impeachment, but this act was swiftly condemned by various Peruvian institutions, leading to his arrest. At that moment, Dina Boluarte, as vice president, assumed the presidency of the country. She thus became the first female president of Peru, in a highly tense environment marked by widespread protests against her government. Boluarte immediately faced enormous challenges, including managing social tensions, reviving the post-pandemic economy, and fighting corruption.
As president, Boluarte sought to promote dialogue and reconciliation in a deeply divided country. However, she faced fierce opposition from various political and social sectors, who saw her as a continuation of Castillo’s policies. Protests, some of them violent, erupted across the country, and her presidency has largely been characterized by a persistent political crisis.
Boluarte also had to manage the high expectations of Peruvians who hoped for significant social and economic reforms. Although she expressed her intention to pursue reforms, the unstable political dynamics and growing tensions with Congress made it difficult to implement her plans. Nevertheless, she remained firmly committed to preserving Peruvian democracy and respecting its institutions.
Boluarte is a political figure who represents a turning point in Peru's history. Her rise to the presidency as a woman, amid a political crisis, makes her a trailblazer in a country where women have historically had little space in the highest levels of power. Her presidency remains a decisive moment in Peru's political evolution, even though her ability to govern effectively has often been questioned due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding her rise to power.