Paraguay Police Find Secret Vault in Ex-President's Mansion
Police in Paraguay discovered a secret vault behind a false wall with an advanced Israeli security system during a raid on the summer residence of former President Santiago Peña, who was impeached and arrested. He is accused of breach of trust and abuse of power related to loans from Ueno Bank. The vault, found Sunday in San Bernardino, could not be opened immediately due to its complex armored system. Peña allegedly received two loans totaling about $600,000 in May 2024 to build the $1.3 million home, with monthly payments six times his presidential salary. The Central Bank intervened in Ueno Bank on November 2 after its solvency fell below legal limits, triggering account freezes and social unrest. Peña is held in a military facility in Asunción with his assets and accounts seized.