Paraguay: President Under House Arrest After Senate Impeachment

Pedro Alliana assumed the presidency of Paraguay following the impeachment of his predecessor, Santiago Peña, amid a massive banking crisis that deprived nearly half of the country’s population from accessing their funds.

Senators appointed Alliana, who previously served as vice president, a day after they voted to remove Peña in the wake of the chaotic collapse of Banco Uno, a bank with which Peña had previously been linked.

Alliana, who will serve as president until 2028, pledged not to abandon depositors, including retirees affected by the takeover of Banco Uno, stating, “The sons of the nation who are currently enduring difficult circumstances due to the financial collapse will receive full compensation.”

Senate President Basilio Núñez announced that Peña was “guilty due to his poor performance in his duties,” as 44 out of 45 senators voted in favor of his removal.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Congress building celebrated the decision to impeach him in a lively atmosphere.

Public Prosecutor Silvia Margarita González Vester told journalists that “Peña will remain under house arrest in Asunción,” adding that he would face questioning on charges of breach of trust, abuse of power, and embezzlement.