Paraguay’s Senate removes Santiago Peña, who is placed under arrest, and Pedro Alliana takes office

Paraguay's Senate removed President Santiago Peña from office on Friday due to a "poor performance of his duties" following the collapse of Ueno Bank. Hours later, Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as the new head of state. The impeachment trial, lasting ten hours, was approved by all 44 senators present, including those from the ruling Colorado Party.

Peña, a 47-year-old economist, lost his lifetime Senate seat and parliamentary immunity. Thousands of savers celebrated the decision outside Congress, and prosecutors charged Peña with breach of trust, influence peddling, and self-serving administration. Former Central Bank president Carlos Carvallo is also under investigation. Peña denies any wrongdoing and had requested a 72-hour extension to prepare his defense, which the Senate rejected.

He submitted his resignation on Thursday to help restore calm in Paraguay, but the Senate did not accept this as a valid reason for the trial.