Paraguay's Senate opens impeachment trial against President Peña over banking crisis
Paraguay's Senate has launched impeachment proceedings against President Santiago Peña over the Ueno Bank crisis, summoning him to present his defence on Friday.
The extraordinary session was convened on Thursday night after Congress failed to secure a quorum to consider Peña's resignation, leaving him in office.
Lawmakers accused the president of misconduct and conflicts of interest linked to the troubled bank, whose collapse has left millions unable to access their savings.
Deputy Carlos Núñez Salinas argued that the allegations constituted poor performance of presidential duties and justified Peña's removal.
Opposition lawmaker Raúl Benítez accused the president of using his office to benefit associates, while Deputy Rocío Vallejo warned that the scandal had severely damaged public confidence in Paraguay's financial system.
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Senate President Basilio Núñez confirmed that Peña would be summoned to present his defence and evidence at an extraordinary session on Friday at 10 a.m.
The impeachment trial will involve five sessions before a final vote. Removing Peña requires at least 30 votes in the 45-member Senate. The president has confirmed he will appear.
The crisis began on Tuesday when Paraguay's Central Bank intervened in Ueno Bank after its solvency reportedly fell below half the legal minimum.
The intervention froze deposits belonging to approximately 2.9 million customers, alongside an estimated $800 million to $850 million in public funds, according to the bank.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
