Politics1 min read

Paraguay president quits amid banking scandal as lawmakers move to impeach him

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The collapse of Ueno Bank endangered roughly $800 million in public deposits, including vital state institutional funds and pensions, while directly threatening around 7,000 jobs. Santiago Peña faced intense scrutiny over his previous financial ties to the bank's controlling shareholder and his appointment of the firm's former chief to run the central bank. Prosecutors quickly moved against the financial institution, charging dozens of bank associates with fraud and breach of trust. Vice President Pedro Alliana is now poised to assume office once Congress formally accepts the resignation.

Key points

  • Congressional leaders pursued the impeachment process to deny the former head of state a…: Congressional leaders pursued the impeachment process to deny the former head of state a lifetime Senate seat and legal immunity.
  • The sudden fall of the digital lender placed an estimated $800 million in public deposits…: The sudden fall of the digital lender placed an estimated $800 million in public deposits and pension funds at risk.
  • Santiago Peña lost vital political survival support after Colorado Party leader Horacio C…: Santiago Peña lost vital political survival support after Colorado Party leader Horacio Cartes endorsed the legislative impeachment push.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Paraguayan president Santiago Peña resigned on Thursday after the collapse of digital lender Ueno Bank triggered widespread protests, froze millions of dollars in deposits and cost him the backing of his ruling Colorado Party. Minutes after his announcement, the country's lower house voted 78-0 to impeach him, sending the charges to the Senate.

According to The Associated Press (AP), congressional leaders were expected to accept Peña's resignation later on Thursday, potentially clearing the way for Vice President Pedro Alliana to take office without waiting for a Senate trial.

Announcing his decision in a video posted on X, Peña said he was stepping down in the interest of “the stability of our country, social peace and the need to preserve our democratic institutions.”

“I want to apologize to the people if I have failed them at any point,” he said. “It was never my intention to betray the trust they placed in me."

The resignation came after Peña lost the support of his political mentor, former President and Colorado Party leader Horacio Cartes, who backed impeachment proceedings.

Cartes said the party…

Politics