Paraguayan President Santiago Peña said he would appear before Congress to present his defense as the Senate prepared to resume impeachment proceedings. (Foto: Instagram)
Paraguay’s Senate is scheduled to resume its impeachment proceedings against President Santiago Peña at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Peña said on social media that he would appear before Congress to present his defense, citing his right to respond to the case.
“I will appear and exercise my right to a defense as the impeachment process continues,” Peña said. “I will do so with arguments and evidence, and with respect for the Constitution and the institutions of the Republic.”
The Senate trial began at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, after the Chamber of Deputies approved the charges against Peña. Seven lawmakers presented the case, and the hearing was suspended at 9 p.m. The impeachment petition had been submitted by a group of deputies on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
A day after the petition was filed, Peña announced in a social media video that he was resigning, saying that no public office should take precedence over Paraguay’s well-being. His resignation was not accepted. The Chamber instead approved opening impeachment proceedings, sending the case to the Senate.
After Peña’s defense, senators are expected to review evidence, hear arguments from both sides and hold a roll-call vote. The stated goal was to complete the process Friday, across five sessions. The schedule in the report said the first session took place Thursday night and the second would be held Tuesday morning; evidence presentations and review were set to begin at 1 p.m. during the third session. A fourth session was to feature closing arguments, with a vote expected in the evening.
Peña is accused of favoring Grupo Vázquez, which controls Ueno. He held shares in the group until March 2025. The allegations also include failing to ensure adequate oversight by the Central Bank of Paraguay. Carlos Carvallo, the bank’s former president, had led the digital bank until 2023.
The president is also accused of damaging confidence in the financial system and of allegedly intervening improperly in the IPS, the institution that administers workers’ pensions and health care. Ueno Bank managed nearly 4.5 billion reais in public funds, including pension resources. The case also includes indications of alleged illicit enrichment.
