Follow-Up: Paraguay's Ousted President Peña Appears Before Prosecutors as Charges Are Prepared
Former Paraguayan President Santiago Peña appeared before prosecutors on Saturday morning, November 7, a day after the Senate removed him from office and he was placed under house arrest at his home in Asunción.
Prosecutor Silvia Margarita González Vester said Peña was due to give his statement at 11 a.m. to the Economic Crimes and Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutors are weighing charges including breach of trust, influence peddling and misappropriation of funds. An arrest warrant was also issued for former central bank president Carlos Carvallo Spalding, whose whereabouts police were seeking. Peña has denied any wrongdoing.
The political and financial crisis was triggered by the collapse of digital bank ueno, Paraguay's fifth-largest bank by deposits, which froze the accounts of about three million customers — nearly half the country's population. The central bank took control of the lender earlier in the week over solvency concerns. The impeachment charges alleged conflicts of interest, manipulation of regulatory oversight, diversion of pension funds and participation in an institutional cover-up linked to the central bank. After a one-day trial on November 6, the Senate voted 44 to remove him for poor performance in office, with one senator absent. Notably, Peña had announced his resignation on Thursday, November 5, but Congress did not accept it and proceeded with the impeachment.
Vice President Pedro Alliana, 52, was sworn in as Paraguay's 53rd president to complete Peña's term through August 15, 2028. While Peña remains under house arrest, police have closed the street outside his home and posted a guard. After taking his statement, prosecutors must file formal charges and request precautionary measures from the duty criminal guarantees court.
Source: AFP
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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- 2026-11-07Follow-Up: Paraguay's Ousted President Peña Appears Before Prosecutors as Charges Are PreparedThis story
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