As if nothing had happened. This is the dynamics of Dina Boluarte with their questioned exminists. The circle close to the president seems immovable of the Executive power while she continues in the presidential chair. The president has chosen to “recycle” in questioned ministers, keeping them in positions within the Executive, such as advisors or even at the head of other ministries.
These returns to the public function are not limited to the recent case of Juan José Santiváñezcensored former Minister of the Interior, who now reappears as presidential advisor. There are other similar cases of former ministers that, despite the questions, have returned to the scene under the protection of Boluarte. This is the case of Julio Demartiniformer Minister of Development and Social Inclusion, under whose management the scandal of the Qali Warma program exploded; or of Leslie Urteagaformer minister of culture, today investigated for alleged acts of corruption that occurred during his passage through that ministry.
Juan José Santiváñez: Census minister to presidential advisor
On March 21, with 78 votes in favor, the Congress of the Republic censored to Juan José Santiváñez as Interior Minister. The censorship motions indicated that their management had failed to face the increase in crime in the country. The figures supported the claim: during their management, historical levels of violence were reached, with more than 490 homicides registered in the first 80 days of the year.
Despite this, the President Boluarte He fired the former minister with a big hug, after the sworn of Julio Díaz Zulueta as your successor. That gesture seemed to anticipate something that would be confirmed shortly after: Santiváñez He returned to the Executive as Head of the General Office of Intergovernmental Monitoring of the Presidential Officeofficial position on April 17 in the newspaper El Peruano.
In his new position, the former minister will be responsible for coordinating the presidential agenda and collecting information on the progress of public policies. For this work, it will perceive a Monthly salary of S/ 17,568equivalent to more than S/ 245,000 annually.
In politics, coincidences are rarely innocent. The return of Santiváñez He could respond to more than a gesture of thanks or a prize for his loyalty. Sources close to the government pointed to this newspaper that in the presidential environment there is fear that, pressed for their legal and economic problems, the former minister decides to collaborate with justice, offering sensitive information about the Executive. Therefore, keeping it close, providing protection and stable income would be a way of deterring any attempt to cooperate with the Prosecutor’s Office.
Julio Demartini: The Qali Warma case did not stop the former minister
In November 2024, Noemi Alvaradoextrabajadora of the Qali Warma program, denounced the distribution of food supplies in poor condition within the social program. According to their testimony, by paying officials to officials, food distributed by the company Frigoinca“To be in bad conditions,” they were accepted and delivered to the beneficiaries, mostly children. All this happened during the management of Julio Demartini as Minister of Development and Social Inclusionportfolio responsible for supervising the program.
The case took an even darker turn after the death of Nile Burgafact that is still investigated by suspicions of a possible attempt to “silence”. In addition, the appearance of an audio between Carlos Guillénclose to Boluarteand Alvaradoin which it is suggested that there were people interested in attentive against DEMARTINIincreased suspicions. Finally, on January 31, the then minister presented his resignation. In his farewell speech he said he had achieved “historical advances in the country’s social policy.”
His stage outside the state apparatus was brief. Just over a month later, DEMARTINI reported before the Judicial Branch– in the framework of a process that sought to restrict its departure from the country – which had been hired as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), led by Úrsula León. Its contract establishes a labor roots until December 31 and a monthly salary of S/ 15,600.
It is worth mentioning that MINCETUR It was not the first option for relocation. Sources indicated a The Republic that Boluarte He considered to appoint him Ambassador of Peru before the Holy See. Even the chancellor Elmer Schialer He came to publicly support this possibility. Of having been designated, DEMARTINI would have obtained diplomatic immunity, which could have complicated the investigations against him for the case Qali Warma.
Leslie Urteaga: from Midis culture, with investigations in tow
After DEMARTINI of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusionthe vacancy was occupied by a figure already known in the surroundings of Boluarte: Leslie Urteagaformer minister of culture. After a break of just over three months, Urteaga He returned to the Executive to lead the Midis. His previous management, however, was not exempt from controversies.
At the moment, Urteaga It is investigated for alleged acts of corruption during its passage through the Ministry of Culture Between 2018 and 2019. He is accused of authorizing the irregular purchase of 1,500 milestones of concrete without the appropriate technical requirements, which would have generated economic damage to the state of S/ 27.075. As General Director of Real Estate Heritage, I would have informally authorized an official to receive the products, validating their reception with 29 days of delay and without due technical coordination. In addition, the participation of a supplier of more than 80 years whose company does not have a verifiable premises or physical address, which questions the legality of the contract, has been questioned.
Consulted in this regard, Urteaga He claimed to be collaborating with the investigations: “I am going to all the proceedings that I am summoned. I am available to the investigations, as I have always done,” he said.
Your new management at the head of the Midis Nor has it been free of controversies. The program Wasi Mikunacreated to replace Qali Warmahas been the target of similar complaints: about 50 schoolchildren were poisoned in a school in Piura after consuming food distributed by said program. The situation has caused Congress to approve the interpellation of Urteagawho must now respond to plenary for the management of the social program.
“The president tends to be dependent on certain key actors that facilitate and guide the political agenda and decision -making”
Either because that confidence group is increasingly reduced or because there are specific reasons for Dina Boluarte prefer to have them close, the Government He has acquired the tendency to keep old ministers questioned within the Executive Power, for the political scientist Víctor UdaAcademic Director of the Association of Social Science Studies ‘Leviatán’, this is because there is a kind of Functional dependence of former ministers in presidential political management.
“The president tends to depend on certain key actors that facilitate and guide the political agenda and decision -making. It is likely that, given the management of any crisis situation, it prefers to avoid decisions that increase polarization with other powers, such as Parliament. Therefore, its link with advisors that help it in political management generates a constant delegation of functions through the figure of the advisors half.
