Paraguay Congress Rejects Peña’s Resignation, Impeachment Proceeds
Paraguay’s Congress rejects President Peña’s resignation amid bank crisis and impeachment proceedings.
2 min read
Paraguay’s Congress has rejected President Santiago Peña’s resignation, allowing the impeachment process to continue. The move comes as the nation grapples with a severe banking crisis, triggered by the collapse of the Asunción-based digital bank Ueno. The Paraguayan Central Bank seized the bank, citing breaches of solvency requirements, and has frozen its assets to assess the situation.
Impeachment and Opposition Accusations
President Peña publicly announced his resignation on Thursday, citing the financial turmoil. However, the Congress swiftly rejected his resignation, stating that impeachment proceedings could not be suspended. Opposition Senator Líder Amarilla argued that accepting the resignation would grant Peña parliamentary immunity benefits, undermining the justice process.
Article 189 of the Paraguayan Constitution states that former presidents become senators for life unless impeached and found guilty. This lifetime position grants them a voice in the Senate, though no voting rights. Opposition senators from the ruling National Republican Association (ANR) party are pushing for the impeachment, which requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
Peña requested a 72-hour extension to present his defense, claiming he was only given a 12-hour window to respond to the 300-page accusatory writ. He shared the letter on his social media accounts, vowing to lay out his truth before the public. The Senate rejected his request, summoning him to appear before parliament at 12:10 p.m. local time.
According to ABC Color, the Senate rejected Peña’s request by 39 out of 45 senators, with only three in favor and two abstentions. The Senate is awaiting Peña’s arrival as the process continues. Article 225 of the constitution outlines the impeachment process, requiring a two-thirds majority for charges, and if found guilty, the official is removed from office.
Broader Implications
The ongoing impeachment proceedings reflect deep political tensions in Paraguay. The opposition accuses Peña of involvement in Ueno Bank’s insolvency, citing corruption and conflicts of interest. The crisis highlights the fragility of the nation’s financial system and the political ramifications of such instability.
Source: Breitbart
