Paraguay Senate Resumes Impeachment Proceedings Against Resigned President Pena

The Senate in Paraguay has resumed impeachment proceedings against President Santiago Pena, a day after he announced his resignation amid a severe financial crisis.

The political turmoil erupted after the Central Bank intervened at Ueno Bank, one of the country's fastest-growing digital lenders, citing breaches of minimum solvency requirements and freezing the accounts of roughly three million customers, representing nearly half the population. Lawmakers in the lower house of Congress overwhelmingly approved impeachment charges against Pena in a 78-0 vote.

Pena requested a 72-hour extension to prepare his defense after being served with a 15-page indictment and 300 pages of appendices. Opposition legislators have insisted on proceeding with the impeachment trial rather than accepting his resignation, arguing that allowing him to step down would grant him a lifetime senate seat with legal immunity. Attorney General Emiliano Rolon Fernandez ordered three criminal investigations into the bank collapse, examining regulatory oversight and the placement of public funds.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in downtown Asuncion demanding accountability and the return of frozen savings, prompting police to deploy rubber-coated steel bullets and pepper spray.