Paraguay Senate Rejects Request to Delay President’s Impeachment Hearing

Istanbul (ANTARA) – Paraguay’s Senate on Friday (6 November) rejected President Santiago Peña’s request for an additional 72 hours to prepare his defence in impeachment proceedings.

The Senate also summoned Peña to appear before lawmakers at 12.10 local time (15.00 GMT/22.00 WIB), ABC Digital reported.

“Less than 12 hours is clearly not enough time for a process to meet the standards of a state governed by the rule of law,” Peña said in a letter addressed to Senate President Basilio Núñez.

Peña said he received notification at 22.15 local time on Thursday (01.00 GMT/08.00 WIB on Friday), along with a 15-page indictment and about 300 pages of supporting documents.

He argued that the short notice did not give him enough time to appoint a lawyer and prepare an adequate legal defence.

According to ABC Digital, the Senate rejected the extension request by 39 votes to three. Two senators abstained and one was absent.

The impeachment proceedings are taking place amid a financial crisis involving Ueno Bank. The Central Bank of Paraguay took control of the bank earlier this week over concerns about its financial condition.

The situation has restricted customers’ access to their deposits, prompting public anger and questions about the bank’s financial transactions.

Peña, who previously held shares in the parent company that controls Ueno Bank, faces allegations of a conflict of interest and irregularities involving public pension funds deposited with the bank.

Amid mounting pressure, Peña submitted his resignation on Thursday. However, lawmakers failed to reach a quorum to discuss it, so the impeachment proceedings continued.

Vice-President Pedro Alliana will assume the presidency if Peña’s resignation formally takes effect.

With the request for an extension rejected, Peña must proceed with his defence according to the schedule originally set by lawmakers.