Boluarte CAE Cabinet: Peru Mired in Political and Social Crisis

Peru's already chronic political instability reached a new chapter of high tension on May 16, 2025, with the resignation of then-Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén, which led to the collapse of the entire cabinet. This event further plunged the government of President Dina Boluarte into a crisis of governability, exacerbated by rampant citizen insecurity, persistent allegations of corruption, and growing social discontent manifested in the streets.

Gustavo Adrianzén's resignation came just one day before the Congress of the Republic was to debate a motion of no confidence against him, a vote that was expected to be adverse to the prime minister. Parliamentary pressure, coupled with a management marked by strong criticism, made his tenure in office untenable. With his departure, and in accordance with Peruvian law, all ministers were forced to resign.

Adrianzén had been in the spotlight due to the severe security crisis plaguing the country, with an alarming increase in common and organized crime, and a widespread perception of government inability to address it.

Although Adrianzén's administration was receiving criticism, the final catalyst for his downfall was the brutal murder of thirteen workers in a mine, allegedly at the hands of gangs linked to illegal mining. This event shocked the country and exposed, once again, the lack of state control over vast areas of the country. The situation worsened when it became known that Adrianzén had publicly denied kidnapping these workers days before their bodies were found, further undermining his credibility.

In a desperate attempt to avoid censure and remain in power, last-minute ministerial changes were made in the Interior, Economy, and Transport ministries. However, this maneuver was viewed by parliamentary groups as insufficient and a mere delaying strategy, so they maintained their intention to vote for Adrianzén's departure.

Following the debacle, President Dina Boluarte proceeded to appoint her fourth cabinet in just over two years in office. Eduardo Arana, who served as Minister of Justice and is considered a close figure to Boluarte, was appointed as the new Prime Minister.

Arana's appointment and the composition of the new ministerial team were not without controversy. Most of the ministers who had resigned with Adrianzén, many of them facing serious criticism of their administration, were reinstated. This decision was interpreted by various sectors as a sign of "change so that nothing changes" and a lack of willingness to undertake a genuine renewal that would address citizen and parliamentary demands. Arana himself faces criticism for his alleged close ties to judges implicated in a judicial corruption network and for having justified government repression during the social protests that left dozens dead.

* "Adrinzén's resignation brought down the entire cabinet. The three ministers appointed on Tuesday had to resign the same day they were sworn in. A reflection of a chaotic government."

The Dina Boluarte administration faces a situation of extreme weakness. Its public approval rating is at historically low levels, with some polls reporting support as low as 2% or even 0%. This massive disapproval has translated into constant nationwide protests, where citizens express their discontent with insecurity, corruption, perceived authoritarianism, and the economic crisis.

Adding to this situation is the progressive distancing of some of its key allies in Congress, such as the Fujimorists, who are beginning to calculate the political costs of continuing to support such an unpopular government ahead of the general elections scheduled for 2026.

The recurring ministerial instability in Peru, now manifesting itself starkly under the administration of Dina Boluarte, is not a simple political accident, but the most visible symptom of a systemic crisis of representation and legitimacy that erodes the foundations of the Peruvian political system. The chronic inability to form stable governments with minimal popular support, compounded by deep parliamentary fragmentation and a relentless torrent of corruption accusations affecting all spheres of power, has plunged the country into a dangerous cycle of ungovernability. In this turmoil, solutions to the most pressing problems facing citizens, such as rampant insecurity and economic stagnation, are systematically postponed, fueling a vicious cycle of discontent and mistrust.

This political paralysis and the accompanying acute crisis of legitimacy could be paving the way for the emergence of authoritarian proposals or radical populisms. In a scenario where citizens perceive traditional democratic institutions as incapable of offering effective solutions, the appeal of leaders who promise order and a firm hand, even at the expense of fundamental freedoms, tends to grow. The deep distrust in the Executive Branch and Congress is an ideal breeding ground for the search for extra-systemic alternatives, which represents a tangible threat to Peru's already fragile democracy in the long term. Latin American history is replete with examples where power vacuums and prolonged crises of legitimacy have facilitated the rise of regimes that, under the promise of restoring stability, ended up undermining democratic institutions.