Ueno Bank president surrenders to Paraguay Police following arrest warrant
Federico Vázquez Villasanti, CEO of Ueno Bank, voluntarily turned himself in to Paraguay's National Police in Asunción. The Public Prosecutor's office is investigating alleged irregularities linked to the bank's crisis.
Ueno Bank CEO detained in Asunción after voluntarily presenting himself to police
Federico Miguel Vázquez Villasanti, president and CEO of Ueno Bank, turned himself in to Paraguay's National Police on Tuesday, according to reports from ambito.com. The detention followed the Public Prosecutor's office issuing an arrest warrant as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities linked to the financial institution's crisis. The businessman was taken into police custody and placed at the Prosecutor's disposal.
Vázquez presented himself at the National Police Investigation Department in Asunción, accompanied by his lawyers. His defence attorney, Víctor Dante Gulino, explained that the businessman became aware of the arrest warrant through the media and decided to make himself available to the authorities immediately.
"He is detained at the Investigation Department, he came voluntarily. When he heard the news, he told me he wanted to present himself as quickly as possible and we brought him," Gulino said in statements to ABC Cardinal. The lawyer noted that at that time, they did not have further details about the case.
The criminal case and other defendants
The detention order was issued on 3 November, as part of Case No. 89/2026, classified as "Federico Miguel Vázquez Villasanti and others for breach of confidence and others". The investigation is being handled by prosecutors from the Specialised Unit for Economic Crimes and Anti-Corruption, under the coordination of deputy prosecutor Nancy Salomón.
Along with Vázquez Villasanti, the judicial order affects seven other individuals: Juan Manuel Gustale, Julio Daniel Rey Fernández, Diana Leticia Mongelós González, Mariana Torres Rubiani, Alejandro Gómez Abente, Diego Fernando Duarte Schussmuller and Miguel Ángel Almada Frutos.
At the time of the CEO's surrender, four of the defendants were already in detention, including Torres Rubiani and Rey Fernández, who had presented themselves at the 10th Metropolitan Police Station. The Prosecutor's office deployed efforts at various points in the capital to locate the remaining defendants.
Next judicial steps and bank crisis
Gulino indicated that the proceedings will continue with a summons from the Prosecutor's office for Vázquez to appear to give a statement. The criminal judge of guarantees will then need to intervene, who will determine the corresponding procedural measures. The lawyer also clarified that his client was alone and in good health at the time of his detention.
The criminal case is proceeding in parallel with the resolution process for Ueno Bank ordered by Paraguay's Central Bank (BCP), which involved the removal of the institution's administrative authorities, the appointment of receivers, and the suspension of its normal operations.
The banking crisis also resulted in legal measures to preserve assets from companies linked to the business group. The authorities are seeking to determine individual responsibilities in the financial deterioration of the institution and to advance with the return of deposits to affected customers.
Vázquez Villasanti's surrender represents one of the most significant developments of the day in the investigation, which must now establish what actions are attributed to each of the executives involved in the Ueno Bank crisis.
Source: Google News PY — Crime