Pedro Alliana, crisis-hit Paraguay’s sudden new president

Pedro Alliana, a vice-president of Paraguay, was appointed as the country's new president in just three days following the impeachment of his predecessor, Santiago Pena. Born on February 19, 1974, in Pilar, Alliana is a former national basketball player, businessman, and long-time insider of the ruling party. He has faced personal tragedy, including the murder of his brother in 2003, which was allegedly linked to a $1 billion cigarette smuggling operation.

After a brief political career marked by setbacks, Alliana became governor of the southern department of Neembucu in 2018 and eventually served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 2013 to 2023. He rose within the Colorado Party, founded by former President Horacio Cartes, and was initially considered a strong candidate for the presidency in 2021.

However, he was appointed as Pena's running mate instead. Alliana faced criticism for employing family members in public administration but was viewed as someone who could potentially inherit leadership of the party. Relations between Cartes and Alliana cooled after the former withdrew support for Alliana's presidential ambitions, leading to Alliana's independent stand against "blind obedience." His rise to power came after lawmakers impeached Pena but dropped charges against Alliana.