Paraguay In Turmoil

By Ana Andrade

On 5 November, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña announced his resignation amid a major political and financial crisis triggered by the collapse of Ueno Bank. The crisis has shaken the country’s financial system, sparked widespread protests, and prompted impeachment proceedings against the president.

On 2 November, the Central Bank of Paraguay placed Ueno Bank under a resolution process after the institution failed to meet the required solvency standards. The measure affected approximately 2.9 million customers, many of whom were temporarily unable to access their accounts and savings. The crisis also raised concerns about public funds held by the bank, while several executives faced arrest orders and legal investigations.

Political pressure intensified on Thursday when former president Horacio Cartes, once a close ally of Peña, publicly endorsed the impeachment proceedings. Shortly afterwards, Peña released a video announcing his resignation. The country’s political future remains uncertain. Peña’s resignation must be formally accepted by Congress. (1) As of that date, Peña’s resignation had not been formally accepted and he continues as President. On 6 November, the Senate removed Peña from office, and he was placed under house arrest.

From an astrological perspective, the transits to Paraguay’s national chart (2) at the time of the crisis reveal a series of significant planetary contacts. The transiting Sun (12 Scorpio) and Mercury retrograde (11 Scorpio) were conjunct the natal Uranus (16 Scorpio) and square the natal Moon (18 Aquarius). This suggests a shocking (Uranus) reversal (retrograde) in the decision (Mercury) to resign, based on public opinion (Moon).  Meanwhile, transiting Mars (20 Leo) and Jupiter (24 Leo) were square the country’s natal Sun (23 Taurus), a placement associated with the nation’s leadership and, symbolically, its president.  This prompted turmoil and decisive action (both Mars) in the political sphere (Jupiter), with Mars repeating the degree of a Solar Eclipse in August which made Paraguay vulnerable to an identity crisis (Sun).

In Santiago Peña’s natal chart (3), the transiting Sun (12 Scorpio) and Mercury retrograde (11 Scorpio) were conjunct his natal Venus retrograde (10 Scorpio) and also activated his natal Uranus (17 Scorpio). These contacts provide another layer to the astrological picture of a period marked by political uncertainty, and sudden challenges (Uranus) in leadership, contrary to his own desires (Venus).

Notes:

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/nov/05/paraguay-president-santiago-pena-resigns
• https://www.astro.com/nat/natpy_s.htm  Paraguay 15 May 1811, 00:00, Asunción, Paraguay
• https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Santiago_Pe%C3%B1a   16 November 1978, unknown birth time, Asunción, Paraguay

Title Image Credit:  https://www.peru-retail.com/quiebra-el-mayor-banco-de-paraguay-miles-reclaman-ahorros-y-renuncia-el-presidente-del-pais/#google_vignette