Paraguay Senate removes President Peña over Ueno Bank collapse
Paraguay's Senate removed President Santiago Peña on Friday over the collapse of Ueno Bank, voting unanimously to oust him for misconduct and clearing Vice President Pedro Alliana to succeed him. Regulators seized Ueno Bank three days earlier, freezing nearly 3 million customers' savings and triggering a political crisis. Lawmakers accused Peña of steering public funds into the bank while regulators overlooked risky lending, charges he denied. His removal also bars him from a lifetime Senate seat and parliamentary immunity, with prosecutors opening criminal investigations. Peña had resigned Thursday but Congress rejected it, with opposition lawmakers insisting on removal to prevent him leaving with immunity. Thousands of protesters have clashed with police demanding frozen savings back, and Paraguay's largest teachers' union plans an indefinite strike Monday over pension fund protection.