The recently reported murder of teacher Julio César Pacheco Pimentel, who was killed inside a school in Ate, has revealed a familial connection to President Dina Boluarte. The relationship is through Boluarte’s mother, Petronila Zegarra Pimentel, who was the deceased teacher’s aunt. Both Pacheco and Boluarte hail from Chalhuanca in Apurímac.
Néstor Zegarra, the victim’s uncle, confirmed the family ties to Panamericana TV. He stated, “Yesterday I found out about my nephew. (He is related to the president) through the surname Pimentel; we are all family.” Another relative of the deceased expressed discontent with the current political situation.
“If our leaders do not focus on improving laws, Peru will be left abandoned. The government and Congress are only concerned with creating laws that benefit themselves and not the people. This is how we will all perish,” she said. Neither Boluarte nor her office have made any statements regarding this matter.
Previously, Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez suggested that the crime may be related to property disputes involving “half-siblings and cousins.” According to Santiváñez, as a result of these legal proceedings, Pacheco had already received death threats. However, the victim’s spouse categorically denied this version of events and called for justice.
“Those claims are false; we deny them,” she said emphatically. Santiváñez addressed reporters at Ate police station stating that “unfortunately they did not file any complaints with either local authorities or law enforcement agencies regarding this incident.” He also mentioned that an operation had been launched to locate both the killer and potential masterminds in Ica where disputed lands were located but declined further comment on Panamericana TV’s report.
The slain teacher taught Communication and had no previous complaints against him when he was murdered in front of his students while heading outside for a rehearsal at their school premises as seen on security camera footage showing two individuals arriving on a motorcycle at its entrance.
A resident told RPP that he noticed suspicious activity by an individual near the area before witnessing the crime unfold shortly after which Education Minister Morgan Quero arrived at school where he was confronted by a group of mothers demanding better security measures.