Paraguay’s political transition drew regional attention after Pedro Alliana was sworn in as president following Santiago Peña’s impeachment. (Foto: Instagram)
Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano called his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, on Saturday, Nov. 7, one day after then-President Santiago Peña was impeached. The call came after Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as Paraguay’s new president.
The outreach was described as a gesture by Alliana toward Paraguay’s neighboring countries. Paraguay’s foreign ministry also contacted other countries in the region, in addition to Brazil.
During the call, Lezcano thanked Vieira for a message from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Alliana. In a post on X, Lula wished the new Paraguayan president success and invited him to visit Brazil.
“I extend to Paraguay’s new president, Pedro Alliana, who was sworn in tonight, my best wishes for success in his new responsibilities. I hope to work with him openly, frankly and cooperatively to strengthen our bilateral relationship and advance integration in South America,” Lula wrote.
Alliana took office after Peña’s impeachment. The process followed suspicions of Peña’s involvement in financial fraud at Banca Ueno. Peña is being investigated in connection with the case and was arrested this week, according to the report.
The case has caused political and financial instability in Paraguay in recent days and raised concerns at Brazil’s Foreign Ministry. Ministry sources consulted privately described the matter as an internal issue for Paraguay, while saying they were closely monitoring the crisis and its possible consequences.
