Latin America

Paraguay opposition seeks president's removal over banking crisis

Published on novembre 5, 2026 at 02:49

'Political impeachment of President Santiago now!' a banner at a protest in Asuncion reads — DANIEL DUARTE / AFP
People in Asuncion, Paraguay queue outside the Banco Familiar hoping to withdraw their savings or funds, a day after the country's Central Bank seized a major lender — DANIEL DUARTE / AFP
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena faces calls for his removal over a banking scandal that has left millions of depositors, including pensioners without access to their money — Federico PARRA / AFP
'Political impeachment of President Santiago now!' a banner at a protest in Asuncion reads — DANIEL DUARTE / AFP

The Paraguayan opposition presented a motion to remove President Santiago Pena from office over the Central Bank's seizure of a major lender linked to him, a lawmaker told AFP on Wednesday.

Protests have rippled across the South American nation after the takeover of Ueno Bank a day earlier left millions of depositors, including pensioners, without access to their money.

Right-winger Pena owned shares in a group that controlled Ueno Bank, but he sold them last year.

The request for his dismissal for alleged misconduct and conflict of interest received 35 signatures among opposition lawmakers, dissident ruling party lawmaker Mauricio Espinola told AFP.

Congress will hold a session on the motion Thursday morning, he said.

After examining the charges, at least 53 out of 80 lawmakers must approve the removal of Pena and Vice President Pedro Alliana for the motion to advance.

The request would then go to the Senate, where it would require 30 out of 45 votes of approval.

Pena's ruling party holds a majority in both houses.

Long lines of people trying to withdraw their money from Ueno branches snaked down Asuncion's streets on Tuesday and then again Wednesday.

Distraught depositors joined protests around the capital on both evenings.

"I lost my entire life savings," a tearful Marcelino Vergara, 68, told AFP at a demonstration.

"They should all go to jail," Vergara said.

Pena has attempted to reassure depositors and placate rising anger among Paraguayans over the ordeal.

"The financial system is sound. It has institutions and protective mechanisms in place," the president said in a video posted to X on Wednesday. 

He also enacted a law that "will allow savers to withdraw, in the shortest possible time, part of the guarantee funds so that the money returns to the hands of those to whom it belongs."

At Pena's request Tuesday, Central Bank president Carlos Carvallo, who previously chaired Ueno, stepped down.

Arrest warrants were issued for eight of Ueno's top executives, including its president, Miguel Vazquez, who turned himself in to police.

Ueno says it has over three million customers -- nearly half of Paraguay's population -- and manages millions of dollars in pensions and other state funds.

The Central Bank said it took over Ueno due to a severe capital shortfall, in order to "protect depositors and preserve the stability of the financial system."

Authorities have suspended its services while they organize the return of deposits.

The law enacted by Pena stipulates that payments will occur within five days.