Paraguay president Santiago Peña removed from office and arrested
Congress voted to remove Peña and he was placed in house arrest as prosecutors probe links between his private interests and the Ueno bank.
Paraguay’s president, Santiago Peña, was removed from office by Congress and placed under house arrest after the collapse of a bank left large numbers of people unable to access their accounts.
Peña was arrested yesterday, minutes after lawmakers — including members of his own party — voted unanimously to strip him of the presidency following the failure of the Ueno bank, which investigators say has links to his private business interests.
He had offered to step down on Thursday, but senators rejected a simple resignation and instead moved to impeach Peña, accusing him of misconduct and revoking the immunity normally afforded to former presidents.
Allegations and immediate steps
Until last year Peña held shares in the company that owns the bank, a point that has focused public and prosecutorial attention. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing.
Prosecutor Silvia Margarita Gonzalez Vester said Peña is to be questioned today on allegations of "breach of trust, abuse of influence and embezzlement."
The removal and arrest mark a dramatic escalation in a political crisis that began with the bank’s collapse and now places Paraguay’s executive leadership under intense legal and public scrutiny.
Photo: DPA)
