MercoPress reported that Paraguay’s Senate removed President Santiago Peña on Friday, but demonstrations in Asunción persisted as opponents demanded the governing Colorado Party leave office after Vice President Pedro Alliana took over.
Thousands celebrated the Senate’s action, while hundreds later assembled outside Congress, the outlet reported. Many people at a downtown vigil were young; protesters carried flags and placards as drums sounded, MercoPress said. EFE quoted protester Celicia Lugo as saying Peña and Alliana “are the same.”
Peña had submitted his resignation before the Chamber of Deputies approved impeachment charges. EconoTimes previously covered Peña’s resignation and the impeachment vote.
The political crisis followed Paraguay’s central bank taking control of Ueno Bank and freezing deposits Tuesday, MercoPress reported. The outlet said Ueno had received substantial public funds during Peña’s term. The bank’s customer base exceeded 2.9 million, while Paraguay’s population was 6.1 million. EFE put the number of affected Social Security Institute pensioners at about 32,000.
Alliana pledged full compensation for affected customers but offered no details on the plan. MercoPress reported that the legal deposit guarantee is capped at 75 minimum wages per depositor, or about 228 million guaraníes.
MercoPress also reported that Peña was placed under house arrest within hours of leaving office after an accusation of breach of trust tied to Ueno Bank’s collapse.
