Pedro Alliana was sworn in as Paraguay’s president on Friday, November 6, after the Senate removed Santiago Peña through impeachment. Alliana will serve out the remainder of the 2023–2028 term, according to the Paraguayan Senate.
The change in leadership comes during a political and financial crisis linked to the collapse of Ueno Bank. Peña was placed under house arrest in Asunción on Friday and was due to face questioning on Saturday over alleged breach of trust, influence peddling and misappropriation of funds, prosecutors said, according to the Associated Press.
Alliana, 52, had served as vice president under Peña. He said after taking office that he would work to address the crisis before his term ends in August 2028.
From Congress to the presidency
Alliana served in Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies from 2013 to 2023 and presided over the lower house before becoming vice president. He also led the Colorado Party, the country’s governing party.
His rise to the presidency followed a political break with former president Horacio Cartes, a leading figure in the Colorado Party who had supported Alliana’s political ambitions. After Cartes withdrew his backing, Alliana said on October 26 that loyalty should not be confused with “blind obedience,” according to the source account.
Lawmakers moved to impeach Peña but rejected proceedings against Alliana, allowing the vice president to succeed him. The Senate’s decision makes Alliana responsible for completing the current presidential term as the country confronts the fallout from the bank collapse.
Nicole French