Paraguay's President Santiago Peña was impeached and removed from office on Friday, November 6, 2026, and subsequently placed under house arrest. The impeachment proceedings were related to allegations of misconduct in the management of the country's banking sector, which had a significant impact on the economy and affected nearly 3 million people. Peña had tendered his resignation just a day earlier.
The impeachment vote in the Senate was overwhelming, with 44 out of 45 senators present voting in favor of removing Peña from office. The Senate President, Basilio Nuñez, stated that the Senate had found Peña guilty of misconduct in the performance of his duties. Vice President Pedro Alliana, who had been serving as Peña's deputy, was sworn in as the new President of Paraguay.
Pedro Alliana, 52, a member of the Colorado party, took the oath of office and vowed to address the economic challenges facing the country. Alliana had also been embroiled in a banking scandal, but the legislative body had not found sufficient evidence to warrant his removal from office. Alliana's inauguration was met with mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing hopes that he would take steps to address the country's economic woes.
The scandal that led to Peña's impeachment involved allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the banking sector. The Attorney General's office had been investigating Peña and other high-ranking officials for their role in the scandal. Silvia Margarita Gonzalez Vester, a representative of the Attorney General's office, stated that Peña would remain under house arrest overnight.
Peña's removal from office and subsequent house arrest were met with celebrations from some members of the public, who had been protesting his leadership and demanding accountability. A 32-year-old employee, Jessica Aquino, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating that Peña had finally gotten what was coming to him and that she hoped he would be held accountable for his actions.
The new President, Pedro Alliana, has vowed to take steps to address the country's economic challenges and ensure that those responsible for the banking scandal are held accountable. Alliana stated that he would work to restore public trust in the government and ensure that the country's economy is stabilized. He also promised to work with lawmakers to pass legislation that would help to prevent similar scandals in the future.
The impeachment of President Peña and the swearing-in of Pedro Alliana mark a significant development in Paraguay's politics. The country's economy has been facing significant challenges, and the new administration will be under pressure to deliver on its promises and restore public trust. The international community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and how the new administration addresses the country's challenges.
Key points
- President Santiago Peña was impeached and placed under house arrest amid allegations of misconduct in the management of the country's banking sector.
- Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as the new President of Paraguay.
- The impeachment and house arrest of Peña were met with celebrations from some members of the public, who had been protesting his leadership and demanding accountability.
