Paraguay's Congress Ousts President Peña Over Banking Scandal
Paraguay's parliament removed President Santiago Peña from office on Friday over his alleged involvement in a banking scandal, and he was immediately placed under house arrest pending formal charges. Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as his successor. Peña, a 47-year-old economist who took office in 2023, lost support from his Colorado Party after the collapse of Digital Bank Ueno, which managed nearly $850 million in public funds. Lawmakers accused him of conflicts of interest, misuse of pension funds, and institutional cover-up, while the central bank's intervention left roughly three million customers unable to access their accounts. The crisis triggered the central bank chief's resignation and the arrest of eight Ueno executives on Tuesday. Peña, a key ally of US President Donald Trump, had resigned Thursday to avoid impeachment, but the resignation was rejected when lawmakers left the chamber, leaving the body without a quorum.