Paraguay's president removed over failure of major bank - NHKニュース

Paraguay's Senate removed President Santiago Pena from office for alleged misconduct over the failure of a major bank with accounts for nearly half of the country's population.

Bankruptcy proceedings began on Tuesday for Ueno Bank, <which serves about 3 million customers.

Turmoil continues in the South American country as people who were unable to withdraw their deposits are holding protest rallies.

The Senate on Friday unanimously decided to dismiss Pena after carrying out impeachment proceedings, accusing him of alleged diversion of pension funds and illicit intervention.

Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as his successor.

Alliana stressed that he will try to bring the situation under control, giving priority to those who are in the most difficult situation and immediately start compensation measures.

Pena announced his intention to resign on Thursday, but has been under house arrest since his dismissal.

Prosecutors have launched an investigation into Pena, who was a shareholder in the bank's holding company and is said to have had close ties with it.