The opposition is pushing for Santiago Pena's impeachment, as resigning would make him a senator for life with immunity from prosecution. (EPA Images pic) ASUNCION: Paraguay's Senate on Friday rejected President Santiago Pena's bid to delay his impeachment trial over a banking scandal that has seen millions of people temporarily lose access to their deposits.
Senate president Basilio Nunez said Pena's bid for a three-day delay to prepare his defence "did not receive the necessary votes, so the extension is rejected."
He said Pena would be "notified and summoned" for the impeachment proceedings due to start Friday.
The crisis erupted on Tuesday, when the Central Bank took control of Ueno Bank over fears for its solvency and froze the accounts of around three million customers, nearly half the country's population.
