Paraguay Senate impeaches President Peña, VP Alliana takes over

The Paraguay Senate has impeached President Santiago Peña following the collapse of Ueno Bank, a crisis that has left an estimated three million people, or more than half of the country's adult population, unable to access their savings and pensions. According to KahawaTungu, the bank is a digital institution with links to Peña's private business interests.

While Peña offered to resign on Thursday, MercoPress reports that senators instead proceeded with an impeachment trial for "poor performance of his duties," which lasted approximately ten hours. The removal was approved by 44 of the 45 senators present, including members of the ruling Colorado Party.

Following the impeachment, prosecutors ordered Peña to be placed under house arrest. KahawaTungu reports he was arrested on Friday after being charged with misconduct, stripping him of the immunity usually granted to former presidents. Impeachment charges include allegations of conflicts of interest, manipulating regulatory oversight, diverting pension funds, and participating in an institutional cover-up.

MercoPress notes that Peña denies any wrongdoing and is facing investigation for alleged breach of trust, influence peddling, and self-serving administration.

Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as president on Friday to serve the remainder of the term ending in August 2028. Gulf News describes Alliana as a 52-year-old former national basketball player, businessman, and ruling party insider who emerged politically with the backing of former president Horacio Cartes. Upon being sworn in, Alliana pledged to address the banking crisis.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Gulf News, KahawaTungu, Hindustan Times - World News, MercoPress — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.