Staatskrise in Südamerika: Staatsanwaltschaft ordnet Festnahme von Paraguays Ex-Präsident Peña an

Following the dismissal of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, the country's prosecutor's office has ordered his arrest. The prosecutor's office is also investigating former Central Bank head Carlos Carvallo. They are looking into allegations of embezzlement and other crimes related to the collapse of the digital bank Ueno. Peña is expected to be held at his residence until he appears before the prosecutor's office.

Paraguay's Senate unanimously voted for Peña's removal from office, following a unanimous decision in the Chamber of Deputies. Vice President Pedro Alliana is set to succeed Peña. All senators agreed that Peña had committed a breach of duty while in office. Peña did not attend the Senate hearing, instead being represented by his lawyers.

He had requested a 72-hour delay, which the senators unanimously rejected. Peña had planned to defend himself, but his lawyers argued that the impeachment process would be futile since Peña had already submitted his resignation. The controversy surrounding Peña's actions centers on his potential involvement in the current banking scandal in the country.

According to the constitution, former democratically elected presidents can be held accountable in a Senate impeachment trial, with the sole exception being if they are found guilty. As a Senator, Peña enjoys parliamentary immunity. Abusers of the Ueno digital bank have accused Peña of benefiting from it while in office and exposing public pension funds to financial risk.

Millions of people now fear for their savings as the Central Bank begins to wind down the effectively insolvent bank.