In Paraguay, 78 deputies send Peña's impeachment to the Senate
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Zambian Observer
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña announced his resignation on 5 November after the collapse of digital bank Ueno, which left some 2.9 million customers without access to their funds and triggered protests. The 78 deputies present voted to send the impeachment procedure to the Senate, where Peña intends to defend himself, according to the Zambian Observer.
The 78 deputies present in Paraguay's lower house voted to send the impeachment procedure against President Santiago Peña to the Senate, according to the Zambian Observer. The joint session of Congress convened to examine his resignation failed to reach a quorum, which formally leaves the head of state in office.
Santiago Peña had announced his resignation on Thursday 5 November, after the collapse of Ueno Bank, a digital institution with around 2.9 million customers whose control was taken over by the central bank. Depositors, including pension funds, no longer had access to their money, which triggered protests. MPs accuse the president of conflicts of interest and of having shielded the bank from any oversight. He denies any wrongdoing and says he sold his stake in the institution's former owner in March 2025.
Santiago Peña said his resignation was aimed at preserving the country's stability and democratic institutions, and confirmed he would defend himself before the Senate. If his resignation is accepted or he is impeached by the senators, Vice-President Pedro Alliana would succeed him.
This step is part of a procedure launched the day before: Paraguay's Congress had launched the impeachment of Santiago Peña on 5 November, before Parliament rejected his resignation on 6 November.
