Peru’s President Doubles Her Own Salary in One Stroke

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has increased her own salary by issuing a decree, effectively doubling it overnight.Despite being the most unpopular president in the country’s history, Boluarte has moved to double her pay. This was reported by the BBC on Thursday (July 3).The media outlet said that although Boluarte holds the lowest approval rating of any Peruvian president ever, she has decided to double her salary—sparking widespread criticism on social media. From now on, she will earn 35,500 soles (about 10,000 USD) per month, twice her previous salary.Peru’s Finance Minister, Raúl Pérez Reyes, explained: “This decision was made to bring the president’s salary in line with other heads of state in the region.”However, this reasoning has failed to satisfy ordinary Peruvians. President Boluarte’s approval rating stands at just 2%, the lowest in Peruvian history. Meanwhile, the country’s minimum monthly wage is only 1,025 soles (about 288 USD), making the president’s new salary 35 times higher.Many have called Boluarte’s pay hike “inhumane” and “a sign of deafness to people’s suffering.” Some commented, “It’s criminal to raise your own salary when people can’t even afford food.”Others shared videos of protesters in Arequipa throwing stones and eggs at the presidential motorcade, saying, “People’s anger is clear, yet she remains unmoved.”Notably, Dina Boluarte was not elected president. She assumed office in December 2022 after President Pedro Castillo was impeached and removed from power, at which time Boluarte, then vice president, took over.During Boluarte’s tenure, several controversies have emerged—including concealing expensive gifts, traveling abroad for nasal surgery without appointing an acting president, and failing to address rising crime rates. These issues have steadily eroded her popularity, although she has denied the allegations.The government of this South American country stated that Boluarte’s previous salary was the second-lowest among the presidents of 12 South American nations, with only Bolivia’s president earning less.