Paraguay, arrest warrant for former president Peña after the banking collapse

Paraguay's Prosecutor's Office has arrested Santiago Peña, following the collapse of Ueno Bank and the massive protests that followed in the country. The former president was detained at his home in Asunción. "In the case of Mr. Santiago Peña Palacios – the arrest warrant reads – detention shall take place at his residence, until he is placed at the disposal of the public prosecutor at the unit specialized in economic crimes and anti-corruption." The president had resigned two days ago over the bank's collapse, before the impeachment request could be formalized. Until last year, Peña was the fourth-largest shareholder of the institution, and it was he who appointed Ueno's former financial director, Carlos Carvallo, as governor of the Central Bank, which was supposed to oversee it and prevent its failure. The bank managed 2.94 million accounts, belonging mostly to ordinary citizens and pension funds, including the Social Security Institute (IPS), a state agency whose funds have been frozen since Tuesday, the day the Central Bank placed the private institution under administration. Meanwhile, Pedro Alliana, who until now held the office of vice president, was sworn in before Congress as the new president. He will serve out the current term, which expires in August 2028.