Politics

Paraguay President Seeks 72‑Hour Extension for Impeachment Defence

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Paraguay President Seeks 72‑Hour Extension for Impeachment Defence
Photo: Demonstrators protest near the Paraguayan Congress following an extraordinary session by lawmakers to debate President Santiago Pena's resignation and to consider impeachment proceedings against him, who the Opposition blame for the crisis triggered by th

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, who is facing impeachment after a banking scandal that has impacted millions, requested a 72‑hour extension to prepare his defence on Friday, November 6, 2026. Peña posted on X that he had been served with a 15‑page indictment and about 300 pages of appendices the evening before and said, "This is not due process." Senate President Basilio Núñez told reporters that the Senate, which is overseeing the impeachment, was meeting to consider Peña’s request. Peña tendered his resignation on Thursday, November 5, 2026, but Congress has put the resignation on hold while the impeachment process continues. The crisis began on Tuesday, November 3, when the Central Bank seized control of Ueno Bank and froze the accounts of roughly three million customers, nearly half of Paraguay’s population. Peña, a former finance minister who took office in 2023, had owned a stake in a group that controlled the bank but sold his shares in 2025. The scandal intensified in the following days, leading to the resignation of the central bank president and the arrest of eight bank executives. Thousands protested in Asunción and other cities for a third straight night on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When did President Peña request the 72‑hour extension?

Friday, November 6, 2026.

How many pages were in the indictment and appendices?

The indictment was 15 pages and the appendices were about 300 pages.

How many customers were affected by the Central Bank's seizure of Ueno Bank?

Roughly three million customers.

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