Paraguay’s Senate is scheduled to resume impeachment proceedings against President Santiago Peña on Friday, Nov. 6, when he is expected to present his defense. (Foto: Instagram)
Paraguay’s Senate is scheduled to resume impeachment proceedings against President Santiago Peña at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, with Peña expected to present his defense. He confirmed on social media that he would attend Congress, saying he would exercise his right to defend himself with arguments and evidence and with respect for the Constitution and the country’s institutions.
The Senate began the trial at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, after the Chamber of Deputies approved the accusations against Peña. The session included arguments for the accusation from lawmakers; the account of the proceedings said seven deputies presented them and listed Rodrigo Blanco, Raúl Benítez, Rocío Vallejo, Adrián Vaesken, Pedro Gómez, Mauricio Espínola, Luis Fernando Franco and Carlos Núñez Salinas. The hearing was suspended at 9 p.m.
A group of lawmakers filed the impeachment request Wednesday, Nov. 4. The next day, Peña announced his resignation in a social media video, saying no public office should take precedence over Paraguay’s well-being. The resignation was not accepted, and the Chamber of Deputies approved opening impeachment proceedings. The case then went to the Senate, which began its trial Thursday.
After Peña’s defense, senators are expected to review evidence, hear arguments from both sides and hold a roll-call vote. The stated aim is to complete the process Friday, although the proceedings are described as requiring five sessions. The first took place Thursday night; the account says the second is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Evidence is to be presented and assessed from 1 p.m. in the third session, followed by a fourth session for closing arguments, with a vote expected that evening.
Peña is accused of favoring Grupo Vázquez, which controls Ueno. He held shares in the group until March 2025. He is also accused of failing to ensure adequate oversight by the Central Bank of Paraguay. Carlos Carvallo, the bank’s previous president, had led the digital bank until 2023.
Other allegations against Peña concern damage to confidence in the financial system and purported improper intervention in the IPS, the agency that manages workers’ pensions and health care. Ueno Bank managed nearly 4.5 billion Brazilian reais in public funds, including pension resources. The accusations also cite indications of illicit enrichment.
