Peruvian President Boluarte Calls AG's Formal Complaint 'Despicable' Amid Social Unrest

Peru's President Dina Boluarte called the formal complaint, filed against her by Attorney General Patricia Benavides over social unrest, a "despicable political maneuver."

"We express our condemnation for such a despicable political maneuver that improperly uses the memory of deceased patriots to distract attention from a very serious complaint against the prosecutor herself," Boluarte said, Reuters reported.

Boluarte became the president after Pedro Castillo's ouster last December, which resulted in social unrest and several protests across the country, leading to the death of at least 49 citizens.

Boluarte's comments came after Benavides filed a constitutional complaint against the president and Prime Minister Alberto Otárola Peñaranda on Monday morning. The complaint was filed after several anti-government protesters were killed earlier this year.

The complaint will now be reviewed by a congressional committee, which can lead to a trial if the charges against the Peru chiefs are approved by lawmakers of the country.

As Boluarte and Peñaranda are in the position of being state heads, there won't be any criminal charges against them. However, a trial can be initiated against them after their term is over, or they are ousted from their office.

Peru has had a tumultuous past when it came to presidents. Since 2016, the country has seen five presidents, none of whom could finish their terms.

Boluarte blamed criminal groups, including left-wing radicals, for the violence, despite critics accusing the former's government of using extreme force against the protesters, such as tear gas and shooting.

Considering the current situation in Peru, Boluarte declared a state of emergency in September in three districts of the country as the crime rate was increasing. Illegal drug trade is one of the factors driving up the crime rate in the country.

Previously, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that he wouldn't be attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Summit because of Peru, as both the countries did not have any relations.