Pedro Alliana: Crisis-hit Paraguay’s sudden new president

Detailed summary

ASUNCION: After three years as vice president, it took just three days of crisis to propel Pedro Alliana to Paraguay’s presidency. The 52-year-old former ...

ASUNCION: After three years as vice president, it took just three days of crisis to propel Pedro Alliana to Paraguay’s presidency. The 52-year-old former national basketball player, businessman and ruling party insider was sworn in on Friday, minutes after lawmakers impeached his former boss, Santiago Pena.

A lifelong party loyalist whose life has been marked by family tragedy, Alliana now leads Paraguay at a time of acute political turmoil. Earlier this week, Ueno Bank suddenly collapsed, freezing the savings of half the country’s adult population. On taking the oath, Alliana pledged to put that right before his term ends in August 2028.

Alliana was born on Feb 19, 1974, in the riverside city of Pilar. He rose to national prominence with the backing of former president Horacio Cartes, who leads the ruling Colorado Party and is still one of the country’s most influential political…

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