Paraguay prosecutors expand charges against former president Santiago Peña over Ueno Bank scandal

The former president is suspected of “criminal conspiracy” and of having “acted as a leader” of five central bank officials who protected Ueno Bank.

The bank, which served about 60 percent of the country’s adult population, has collapsed. Since then, financial problems have shaken Paraguay.

Peña was previously a partner in the group that controls the bank and is accused of having directed state funds to Ueno during his time as president.

He is suspected, among other things, of concealing or downplaying the bank’s financial problems despite warnings of a capital shortage.