Paraguay is facing a political transition following President Santiago Peña’s impeachment on Friday, 6 November 2026. Peña’s fall comes amid controversy surrounding the collapse of Ueno Bank, a digital lender facing scrutiny over its financial connections to the president and allegations of corruption. Following Peña’s impeachment, attention has shifted to Vice-President Pedro Alliana, who is next in the constitutional line of succession. Alliana will assume the presidency and serve the remainder of the term, which ends in August 2028.
The change in leadership brings attention to Alliana’s political background, career and potential role as Paraguay’s next president. At his inauguration on Friday, the new president emphasised that his term is short and that he will demand results from all ministers and public officials.
He also stressed the need to focus efforts on domestic issues: “Enough has been done abroad during this period; I will be a president who focuses on Paraguay’s internal affairs,” Alliana stated. “Time is short, and in this time we must build a worthy government. One that will be remembered for its generosity towards its citizens and its firmness against those who want to steal this future from them,” the president stated.
From provincial court to powerbroker: The journey of Pedro Alliana
Born Hércules Pedro Lorenzo Alliana Rodríguez on 19 February 1974 in Pilar, a city in the southern department of Ñeembucú, the man known by his nickname ‘Mangui’ began his career not in politics, but in local commerce. A keen athlete in his youth, Alliana briefly represented Paraguay on the national basketball team in 1991 before turning his focus to business and local governance.
He holds a degree in International Relations from the Autonomous University of San Sebastián (UASS), where he studied between 2014 and 2017, and he submitted his thesis in May 2018. His initial foray into politics was far from seamless. An unsuccessful mayoral bid in Pilar in 2006 was quickly followed by a decisive turnaround in 2008, when he secured the governorship of Ñeembucú under the Colorado Party (National Republican Association).
That regional platform launched his national career. In 2013, Alliana won a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, initiating a decade-long tenure in the lower house that culminated in his election as Speaker, a position he held from 2019 to 2022.
Pedro Alliana’s political ties to Horacio Cartes
Pedro Alliana’s political career has been closely associated with former President Horacio Cartes, who governed Paraguay from 2013 to 2018. Cartes currently serves as president of the Colorado Party (ANR) and leads its internal faction, Honor Colorado.
Alliana served as president of the Colorado Party from 2015 to 2023 and maintained political ties with Cartes throughout his leadership. In the 2023 general election, Alliana joined Santiago Peña as his vice-presidential running mate, representing Honor Colorado. The pair won the election and took office on 15 August 2023.
Paraguay’s constitutional mechanics: How succession works
Under Articles 227 and 234 of the Paraguayan Constitution, the Vice-President automatically assumes the presidency in the event of a definitive vacancy, completing the remainder of the five-year term without a fresh nationwide election. Antonio Barrios, a senator and former Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare, takes over as Vice-President.
Paraguay has experienced similar transitions before. In 2012, Vice-President Federico Franco assumed the presidency following Fernando Lugo’s impeachment and removal. Congress subsequently appointed Óscar Denis to fill the vacant vice-presidency. In 2018, under Horacio Cartes presidency, it followed the same constitutional procedure to appoint Alicia Pucheta after Vice-President Juan Afara resigned.
Key milestones in the political career of Pedro Alliana
- 1991: Represented Paraguay as a member of the national basketball team.
- 2008–2013: Served as Governor of Ñeembucú Department.
- 2013–2023: Served as a member of Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies.
- 2015–2023: Served as president of the Colorado Party (ANR).
- 2019–2022: Served as president of the Chamber of Deputies.
- 2023–2026: Served as Vice-President of Paraguay.
- November 2026: Became the constitutional successor to the presidency following Peña’s impeachment.
