Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Faces Impeachment Trial in Senate

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña announced on Thursday that he will present a formal defense during his impeachment trial in the Senate. This development follows a chaotic session in the Paraguayan Congress, where lawmakers failed to finalize a vote on the president's resignation amid a deepening political and financial scandal.

The crisis stems from the collapse of Ueno Bank, a digital financial institution. Allegations against Peña include potential conflicts of interest and mismanagement regarding pension funds and the bank's operations. While the president initially sought to resign, stating his priority was the stability of citizens who trusted their savings to the financial system, the legislative process to accept that resignation was halted when government-aligned deputies left the session, causing a lack of quorum.

The Chamber of Deputies previously voted unanimously, 78 to zero, to approve the initiation of impeachment proceedings against the president. The case has now moved to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority—at least 30 out of 45 senators—is required to remove Peña from office. The opposition has pushed for the impeachment to proceed, partly to prevent the president from obtaining the status of senator for life, a constitutional privilege that provides parliamentary immunity to former presidents who leave office without being removed.

In a statement posted to social media, Peña asserted his intent to appear before the Senate with evidence and arguments. "I will appear and exercise my right to defense. I will do so with arguments and evidence, respecting the Constitution and the institutions of the Republic," Peña stated. He added that he remains committed to transparency, noting that his personal political future should not overshadow the urgent need to reimburse depositors affected by the bank's failure.

Vice President Pedro Alliana, who has been positioned as a potential successor, remains a central figure in the unfolding political drama. At 52, Alliana has a long history within the Colorado Party and has served in various roles, including as a regional governor and president of the Chamber of Deputies. While he has also faced calls for impeachment from opposition members, the Chamber of Deputies rejected those efforts, and key factions within his party have signaled support for his continued tenure.

Alliana, who previously worked in commerce and played professional basketball, has denied any wrongdoing regarding allegations that he acted to protect the financial institution at the center of the scandal. He stated in an interview with the newspaper Última Hora that he remains calm because he is confident in his innocence. As the Senate prepares to conclude its judgment by Friday, the country remains in a state of political uncertainty, with the president pledging to respect the final institutional outcome.