Pedro Alliana, who previously served as vice-president, is sworn in before Congress as Paraguay’s new president in Asuncion. (EPA Images pic)ASUNCION: After three years as vice-president, it took just three days of crisis to catapult Pedro Alliana to Paraguay's presidency.
The former national basketball player, businessman, and ruling party insider was rapidly sworn in Friday, minutes after the impeachment of his former boss, Santiago Pena.
A lifelong party loyalist whose life has been marked by family tragedy, Alliana, 52, now finds himself leading Paraguay at a moment of acute political turmoil.
Earlier this week, Ueno Bank suddenly collapsed, freezing the savings of half of Paraguay's adult population.
