Paraguay Arrests Ex-President Peña After Senate Strips His Immunity
Former Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was arrested at his residence in Asunción overnight, hours after the Senate removed him from office in a political trial for "poor performance of duties." The Prosecutor's Office is investigating him for breach of trust, self-dealing, and influence peddling. The arrest was possible because the Senate unanimously removed Peña from his senatorial seat, stripping his immunity. He had resigned Thursday, but the 44 senators present—mostly from his own party—voted to oust him. Peña will testify before prosecutors today. The investigation relates to the collapse of Ueno Bank, where Peña held shares until March 2025 and where millions in state pension funds were deposited during his term. Vice President Pedro Alliana has been sworn in as president, serving until August 2028.