Santiago Peña questioned by prosecutors after his removal
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on SeneNews
Former Paraguayan president Santiago Peña appeared before prosecutors on 7 November, a day after his successor Pedro Alliana was sworn in, to explain the banking crisis that led to his removal. Peña, president since 2023, had been removed by Parliament, according to SeneNews.
Former Paraguayan president Santiago Peña was questioned on Saturday 7 November by the public prosecutor’s office in Asunción as part of an investigation opened against him over alleged breach of trust and influence peddling. Arrested on Friday after his removal, he gave a statement to the authorities, SeneNews reports.
The banking crisis behind the proceedings erupted on Tuesday, when the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) placed Ueno Bank under administration for insolvency. The freezing of deposits affected nearly three million customers, almost half of Paraguay’s population, as well as companies, institutions and pension funds.
Santiago Peña, Paraguay’s conservative president since 2023, was removed on Friday after the Senate unanimously found him guilty of “poor performance of his duties” in connection with the collapse of Ueno Bank, according to SeneNews. His term was initially due to run until 2028.
The questioning comes a day after Pedro Alliana was sworn in as president of Paraguay, following Santiago Peña’s removal. Pedro Alliana takes the presidency of Paraguay on 7 November, according to facts already published by the media.
