Portrait of deposed Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. Due to the participation of Neuro Vinogradov, the text was longer than usual in the telegram.
Peña is not a traditional Latin American politician who grew out of the party nomenclature or the military. Economist, graduate of Columbia University in New York, former fellow of the IMF in Washington, where he worked on African countries. Then - member of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Paraguay, Minister of Finance, President. His election in 2023 was seen as the rise to power of a modern technocrat.
The Colorado Party has ruled the state almost continuously since 1947, except for a five-year hiatus in 2008–2013. This era included the 35-year dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner, who was overthrown in 1989 by his own friends. In the Oct. 4 municipal elections, Colorado maintained its national lead, winning 187 of 263 mayoral positions. But at the same time she lost the elections for mayor of Asuncion and the second largest city - Ciudad del Este.
Peña's political patron was former president Horacio Cartes (2013–2018), an influential businessman and leader of Colorado. Thanks to his support, the economist, formerly a member of the Liberal opposition party, made a fast political career. But over time their relationship deteriorated. And when the banking scandal broke, Cartes supported the impeachment of his former protégé.
The banking crisis in Paraguay turned out to be a national disaster. The Oano Digital Bank served about 3 million customers in a country with a population of only 6.4 million people. The current insurance system should fully cover the balances of about 97% of the customers. But for thousands of families, the collapse of the banks has already resulted in the inability to receive a salary, pension or payment for purchases.
Pena tried to resign voluntarily, but the MPs refused to accept it.