Peru Residents Are Furious After The Government Announces The Increase In President Bouarte's Salary

JAKARTA - Peruvians are furious with the announcement of an increase in President Dina Bouarte's monthly salary, saying the money is better used to reduce poverty.

The economy minister announced late Wednesday that President Bouarte's salary had been raised to 35.568 soles ($10.067), about 30 times higher than Peru's minimum wage.

The president's previous salary was set at 15.600 soles (USD 4.400), a level introduced in 2006 when former President Alan Garcia dropped him from 42.000 soles.

The minister said the increase in salaries had been approved by the cabinet and must take effect immediately. The government confirmed the increase, saying, compared to 12 colleagues across Latin America, the previous salary was ranked 11th, just above the Bolivian President's salary.

Reuters was unable to confirm the accuracy of the government's rating, but an evaluation by Rio Times last year showed Latin American president's salaries ranged from 3,000 US dollars and 22,000 US dollars, with an average of about 9,600 US dollars.

However, Peruvians were not impressed and furious with this plan.

"That's a joke," said retired Rolando Fonseca outside a newspaper stall in the capital Lima.

"Extreme poverty occurs throughout Peru and the president needs to set an example," he said.

Peru's economy has bounced back over the past two years, following a recession sparked by anti-government protests at the beginning of President Bouarte's term of office. However, the poverty rate, which worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, remained close to 30 percent.

President Bouarte will end his term of office in July 2026, after the presidential election scheduled for April.

"He will soon step down and there is no need for him to raise his salary, he should be helping hospitals and sick children",WHythoma said, a housewife in Lima.

President Boluarte came to power at the end of 2022, after his predecessor Pedro Castillo was removed and arrested after seeking to dissolve Congress. His approval rate ranged from 2 percent to 4 percent, according to a recent poll by Datum and Ipsos Peru.

He faces corruption charges, including allegations of illegal enrichment involving Rolex watches. He was also investigated for his role in overseeing police and military reactions to anti-government protests, which killed more than 50 people. President Bouarte (63) denies wrongdoing.

Repeated attempts to impeach Boluarte have been blocked by conservative political parties supporting it. Peru has had six presidents since 2018, and three of them are currently behind bars.

Separately, opposition lawmaker Jaime Quito said he plans to promote an initiative in Congress to cancel the raise.

"This is ridicule for a country that faces such serious problems," he said.