Paraguay's Pedro Alliana sworn in as president after predecessor impeached

Former Paraguayan Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as President on Friday, after his predecessor Santiago Pena was impeached earlier the same day. Alliana was elected Vice President of Paraguay as Pena's running mate in 2023. He should now serve out Pena's term, which runs until August 2028. In a unanimous vote on Friday, the Senate voted to remove Pena from the presidency for misconduct in office. The verdict came just three days after regulators seized Ueno Bank, a major bank tied to the government. The collapse cut nearly 3 million customers off from their savings and bank cards and set off a political crisis. As senators deliberated Friday, crowds of protesters marched through the capital to demand their frozen savings back in accountability for the bank's failure. Santiago Peña was placed under house arrest Friday on suspicion of breach of trust shortly Only after the Senate removed him from office. Prosecutors ordered that the former president be held at his home until he can be brought before the Economic Crimes and Anti-Corruption Unit. Peña has denied wrongdoings. Santiago Peña is the second Paraguayan president ousted by impeachment since the end of Alfredo Stroessner's dictatorship in 1989.