Paraguayan president to remain in office as Congress fails to approve resignation

Paraguayan President Santiago Pena will remain in office after a joint session of Congress on Thursday failed to complete a vote on his resignation due to a lack of quorum, as the Senate prepared to proceed with impeachment proceedings against him, local media reported.

The joint sitting was suspended after lawmakers from the ruling Colorado Party walked out during the vote, preventing Congress from reaching a decision on Pena's resignation.

Earlier Thursday, the Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved impeachment charges against Pena amid a political crisis triggered by the collapse of digital lender Ueno Bank.

Senate President Basilio Nunez announced that the upper house would proceed with the impeachment process. Pena said in a statement on social media that he would appear before the Senate and exercise his right to defend himself.

Pena remains formally in office as Congress has yet to accept his resignation.

Pena announced his resignation Thursday amid mounting pressure over the collapse of Ueno Bank that left millions of customers unable to access their accounts.