00:00Hawaiian President Santiago Pena has resigned from office effective immediately following the economic fallout and systemic corruption surrounding the collapse
00:07of Ueno Bank.
00:09President Santiago Pena was made to preserve social peace and institutional stability across the country.
00:15The sudden departure of the head of state followed an official announcement from congressional leaders in the chamber of deputies
00:22confirming they held the necessary legislative votes to pass impeachment proceedings against him.
00:28The political crisis erupted after financial regulations ordered the emergency closure of Ueno Bank, an institution with deep personal and
00:39political links to Pena, which froze savings for 3 million account holders and endangered nearly $400 million in public pension
00:49reserves, triggering widespread national protests.
00:56My fellow citizens, I address you today at one of the most difficult moments of my life, with my heart
01:05set on Paraguay,
01:06and with the conviction that our republic must always take precedence over any individual or circumstance.
01:13History will judge and put into proper perspective the events we are currently experiencing.
01:17I have taken the decision to tender my resignation as President of the Republic.
01:22I do so with the stability of our country, social peace, and the need to preserve our democratic institutions in
01:29mind.
01:29I do so with the utmost respect for our national constitution, and for the institutional and democratic mechanisms we have
01:36established as a nation.
01:37I am convinced that no office can take precedence over the welfare of Paraguay.
01:42I also wish to apologize to the people if, at any time, I have failed them.
01:47It was never my intention to betray the trust they placed in me.
01:51Every day, I took on this responsibility with the determination to work for Paraguay.
01:56But today, I have but one priority, the peace of mind of the Paraguayan people who entrusted their savings to
02:03our financial system.
02:05Behind every deposit lie years of hard work, sacrifice, and family plans.
02:13My greatest wish is that the growth of those funds be guaranteed, that the Deposit Guarantee Fund fulfills its purpose,
02:20and that public funds and the resources belonging to all Paraguayans are protected.
02:25Dear fellow citizens, we are a country that has weathered very difficult times, and has always managed to rise again.
02:32I have the deepest confidence in the strength of our people, and in the ability of our institutions to overcome
02:39this situation.
02:40Today we must demonstrate once again, that democracy is respected, that our institutions are safeguarded,
02:48and that Paraguay stands above our differences.
02:51No office is more important than the stability of the Republic.
02:54No individual is above Paraguay.
02:57I am grateful for the trust placed in me throughout my time in office,
03:03and for having been given the honor of serving this great nation.
03:06May God bless every Paraguayan family, and may God bless Paraguay.
03:11Que Dios bendiga a cada familia paraguaya, y que Dios bendiga al Paraguay.
