Peru’s long-standing reputation for prosecuting and imprisoning former leaders has entered a new chapter as the country’s top court moved to halt criminal investigations against President Dina Boluarte. The decision, announced on August 19, 2025, marks a significant legal precedent in the nation, where political instability has often intersected with judicial action, resulting in a turbulent political landscape that has left multiple presidents behind bars.

The Constitutional Tribunal of Peru ruled in favor of Boluarte, imposing strict limitations on the prosecution of sitting presidents. The tribunal’s decision mandates that all ongoing criminal investigations against Boluarte – which cover a spectrum of serious allegations including illegal enrichment, abandonment of her post, and homicide – be suspended until she leaves office. Previously, Boluarte, like other heads of state, enjoyed immunity from incarceration but could still be investigated for crimes committed before or during her tenure. The court’s ruling, however, now provides a broader protective shield against active investigations, fundamentally altering the dynamic between the judiciary and the executive branch.

This development is emblematic of the political and judicial volatility that Peru has experienced over the past few decades. Historically, the country has prosecuted its presidents with unusual frequency. Currently, four former Peruvian presidents are incarcerated, a record not only for the country but among nations globally. The cases against these leaders range from corruption to abuse of power, underscoring a pattern in which political disputes and legal accountability have been intertwined in complex and sometimes controversial........

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