Paraguayan prosecutors charged former president Santiago Peña following the collapse of Ueno Bank, which had links to his business interests. The judicial action followed his impeachment and arrest. Peña denies wrongdoing and his lawyer rejected the accusations. Pedro Alliana has taken over the presidency as depositors demand access to savings and pension payments.
Paraguayan prosecutors charged former president Santiago Peña with breach of trust and administration for personal gain after the collapse of Ueno Bank. The judicial action followed his impeachment and arrest on Friday. Peña, who had held shares in the bank’s parent company until last year, denies wrongdoing. His defence lawyer Ricardo Preda rejected the accusations, describing them as irresponsible and opportunistic.[1], [2]
Peña had offered to resign, but senators instead removed him through impeachment, stripping him of the immunity ordinarily available to former presidents. Of the Senate’s 45 members, 44 voted for removal and 1 was absent; members of his own party joined the vote. The impeachment allegations included conflicts of interest, interference with regulatory oversight, diversion of pension funds and a cover-up involving the central bank. Peña contests the allegations.[1]
Vice-President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as interim president and is to serve until 2028. He promised full compensation to those affected by the financial collapse. An estimated 3 million depositors lost access to savings and pension payments after the central bank took over Ueno. Customers queued outside branches in the capital, Asunción, and thousands demonstrated to demand their money back. Police used tear gas and water cannons during earlier protests.[1]
