Boluarte's Speech for National Holidays: A Missed and Disappointing Opportunity

President Dina Boluarte appeared yesterday in the Congress chamber to deliver her message for the National Holidays, an event that, at first glance, should be a key moment for reflection and planning for the country's future. However, the anticipation turned to disappointment when the president took the floor and extended her speech for five hours, which, far from illuminating the way forward, got lost in the repetition of figures and clichés. This lengthy monologue was not only perceived as an excessive use of time, but also left citizens with more questions than answers on crucial issues for the country's well-being. One of the few announcements that managed to capture the audience's attention was the proposal to create a new ministry of infrastructure, which would manage a budget close to 17 billion soles. Although the idea of a ministry dedicated to this area is not unreasonable and has been successfully implemented in other nations, the context in which this proposal is presented generates distrust. Previous experiences with other related ministries, which also have large budgets but have failed to meet expectations for infrastructure progress, provide little reason for optimism. There are fears that this new entity will become a focal point of bureaucracy and corruption instead of a solution to existing problems. One of the most anticipated topics that was left unaddressed in the speech was citizen security. At a time when the country faces a growing wave of crime, mentions of figures regarding the dismantling of criminal gangs lacked substance. Despite announcing the suppression of more than 11,600 gangs, no concrete strategies were presented to tackle the security crisis affecting so many citizens. References to programs like "Amanecer Seguro" and "Retorno Seguro" were insufficient, especially considering the alarming growth of criminal economies, such as illegal mining. Boluarte emphasized her role as a victim of corruption, despite being part of the same administration as Pedro Castillo, of which she was a minister. This lack of self-criticism is disconcerting, especially considering that the president did not mention the relationship between her administration and the multiple corruption accusations that have arisen. On the contrary, the speech seemed to attempt to distance itself from a management in which she was a significant actor, leaving many with the impression that she has not learned from past mistakes. Her criticism of Castillo's government, which is currently behind bars, felt like an attempt to divert attention from the shadows that haunt her administration. In an act that seems ironic, her brother, Nicanor Boluarte, who is under investigation for corruption, held a prominent position during the speech, raising further questions about the supposed separation the president is trying to establish between her management and the corrupt practices that have been a scandal in Peruvian politics. Unlike her speech from the previous year, which could be forgiven for her inexperience and the turmoil of her early months in office, this year there are no justifications. The president, with greater experience and more time to prepare, had the obligation to present a stronger and clearer speech. However, what occurred was a paradigmatic example of how one can speak at length and still say very little. Moreover, the lack of interaction with the media in the months leading up to this speech did not help to build a bridge of trust between the president and the public. The prolonged silence from the president has generated a sense of disconnection, and her extensive presentation in Congress failed to bridge this gap. Instead of opening channels for dialogue, the speech felt like an imposition of information that did not invite participation or debate. Political analysts and ordinary citizens agree that Boluarte's presentation was a missed opportunity to address crucial issues and create an action plan that truly responds to the country's needs. The feeling of helplessness in the face of a speech that offered neither solutions nor a clear vision for the future has left many deeply concerned about the direction in which the government is headed. In conclusion, President Boluarte's speech will not only be remembered for its unusual length but also for the lack of content and concrete proposals that truly impact the reality of the country. The message that should have become a roadmap for tackling current challenges ended up being a compendium of figures and generalities that, at the end of the day, do not provide answers to Peruvians who expect effective leadership committed to their needs. The lingering question is whether the government will take this widespread disappointment into account to change course, or if we will continue to live in a cycle of empty promises.