Former Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was transferred to a military base after protesters clashed with police outside his home. (Foto: Instagram)
Paraguay’s former president Santiago Peña was transferred to a military base early Saturday, Nov. 7, after clashes between police and demonstrators outside his home. The protesters were calling for Peña to be jailed rather than remain under house arrest. A post by journalist Raúl Bogarín, citing ABC Digital, said the crowd pushed past a police cordon and officers could not stop it from advancing toward the residence.
The newspaper ABC Color reported that security concerns prompted the transfer. Peña had been placed under house arrest by the Public Prosecutor’s Office as part of an investigation into the collapse of Ueno Bank. Earlier Saturday, Paraguay’s Senate voted to impeach him in connection with the same case.
According to the court, investigators found indications of breach of trust and other possible crimes involving Peña. The Central Bank intervened in Ueno after finding that its solvency ratio had fallen to less than half the required level. The bank’s 3 million customers—nearly 40% of Paraguay’s population—were left unable to access their accounts.
Peña had been a shareholder in the group that controlled the bank. He also appointed Central Bank President Carlos Carvallo, who had led Ueno until August 2023.
Peña announced his resignation on the same day lawmakers filed an impeachment request. The Chamber of Deputies did not accept the resignation and continued with the impeachment process.
