Investigators opened a concealed security room at former Paraguayan President Santiago Peña’s mansion in San Bernardino on Nov. 10. Paraguayan media reported that it contained no cash or valuables. (Foto: Instagram)
Paraguay’s Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a concealed security room at former President Santiago Peña’s mansion in San Bernardino on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Paraguayan media reported that the compartment contained no cash or valuables. Investigators had found it two days earlier behind a false wall at Peña’s vacation home, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Asunción.
The room was secured by an armored door with four layers of protection, which delayed investigators’ access. According to local media, the safeguards included a password, facial or iris recognition, a fingerprint scan and specialized Mul-T-Lock keys. Videos shared by Paraguayan media showed investigators discovering the concealed passage during a search of the mansion.
Authorities were able to open the door after Peña, through his lawyer, provided information about the location of the security key. Prosecutor Silvia González said after the operation that Peña had identified where the device was in an area of the residence. A day earlier, prosecutor Christian Benítez said officials were considering asking Peña’s wife, Leticia Ocampos, to help unlock the door using biometric recognition. A controlled detonation was also under consideration.
The mansion is also being investigated over suspicions about how its construction was financed. Some of the money may have come from loans issued by Ueno Bank, according to the report. The bank crisis has also become a political issue: Paraguay’s Senate approved Peña’s impeachment on Nov. 6, amid accusations of ties to the financial institution.
The Senate vote was 44 in favor of removing Peña, with one abstention. Peña had sought a 72-hour extension to present his defense, but the request was denied. The Chamber of Deputies launched the impeachment process on Thursday, Nov. 5, even after Peña submitted a resignation request. Congress called a joint session to consider the request, but did not vote because there were not enough lawmakers present. After the Senate approved his removal, then-Vice President Pedro Alliana assumed the presidency.
Ueno Bank, which was Paraguay’s largest digital bank, had about 2.9 million customers—roughly 40% of the country’s population. The Central Bank suspended its operations on Nov. 3 after finding that the institution’s solvency ratio was below half the required minimum. The measure indicates a financial institution’s ability to meet its obligations.
Investigators are examining suspicions of asset manipulation and loans to companies linked to the bank’s controlling group. Eight executives were arrested, including bank president Juan Gustale and vice president and founder Miguel Vázquez. The allegations remain under investigation.
