Paraguay charges ousted President Peña over Ueno Bank collapse
Paraguayan prosecutors charged deposed President Santiago Peña with breach of trust and administration for personal gain on Saturday, linked to the collapse of Ueno Bank that endangered savings of hundreds of thousands of account holders. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. A judge ordered Peña held at a military base pending investigation and froze his assets. Regulators intervened in Ueno Bank on Tuesday, freezing accounts of nearly 3 million customers, leading to Peña's removal by Congress on Friday night. Lawmakers accused him of steering public funds into the bank while regulators overlooked risky lending. Peña denies wrongdoing and resigned Thursday, though Congress proceeded with impeachment. Protests have erupted, with thousands clashing with police over frozen savings. The Central Bank said 1.2 million customers received partial or full reimbursement, with deposits up to $37,000 insured.