ASUNCIÓN, PARAGUAY — November 6, 2026. Paraguayan journalist Mina Feliciángeli has drawn international attention after announcing her resignation live on television and radio amid the financial crisis surrounding Ueno Bank. Visibly emotional, the veteran broadcaster explained that she could no longer continue working for a media organization whose owner was also connected to the troubled financial institution.
JOURNALIST BREAKS DOWN DURING LIVE BROADCAST
The announcement took place on November 3 during Mina en la Tribu, a program broadcast on La Tribu 650 AM and Unicanal.
Feliciángeli struggled to contain her emotions as she addressed viewers and listeners, expressing anger and disappointment over the consequences of the banking crisis.
“I can’t pretend nothing happened. This is outrageous,” she said, according to an English translation of her Spanish-language remarks.
The journalist explained that continuing to criticize the bank’s management while working for a company linked to its ownership created an ethical conflict she could no longer accept.
MEDIA OWNERSHIP AT CENTER OF CONTROVERSY
Feliciángeli worked for V-Media, a communications group associated with Grupo Vázquez.
The business group is also connected to Ueno Bank, the financial institution placed into resolution proceedings by Paraguay’s central bank.
During her resignation announcement, Feliciángeli openly questioned the responsibility of the media company’s owner, businessman Miguel Vázquez, in the banking crisis.
Her comments reflected her personal assessment of the situation. Any criminal responsibility involving the bank’s owners must be established through judicial proceedings.
UENO BANK CRISIS AFFECTS MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS
The Banco Central del Paraguay announced intervention and resolution proceedings against Ueno Bank after identifying serious deficiencies in its financial solvency.
The bank reported approximately 2.9 million customers, making it one of Paraguay’s most widely used digital financial institutions.
Following the intervention, customers experienced disruptions involving withdrawals, transfers and access to their accounts.
Regulators also raised concerns about lending arrangements involving companies connected to the bank’s ownership group.
The number of registered customers does not establish that every customer permanently lost their savings.
FELICIÁNGELI SAYS SHE WAS ALSO AFFECTED
During her farewell, the journalist revealed that she had also been personally affected by the bank’s situation.
She expressed particular concern for people who depended on their accounts to pay everyday expenses and support their families.
Feliciángeli called on the central bank to act responsibly and help affected depositors recover access to their funds.
Despite her criticism of the business group, she thanked her colleagues, audience and members of the media company’s management for their support during her time at the organization.
BANKING SCANDAL TRIGGERS NATIONAL POLITICAL CRISIS
The Ueno Bank intervention has also generated intense political pressure on Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, whose previous business connections to the bank’s ownership group have drawn scrutiny.
Peña submitted his resignation on November 5 amid impeachment demands and investigations into the banking crisis.
However, lawmakers rejected his resignation offer, and impeachment proceedings continued on November 6.
The controversy has raised questions about financial oversight, political influence and the handling of public deposits.
LIVE RESIGNATION RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT JOURNALISTIC INDEPENDENCE
Feliciángeli’s resignation has become a prominent example of the ethical challenges journalists may face when covering controversies involving the owners of their media organizations.
Her decision has prompted discussion about editorial independence, conflicts of interest and the responsibility of broadcasters to their audiences.
While the banking investigation continues, the footage of her emotional farewell has spread beyond Paraguay, attracting attention across Latin America.
The case highlights how a financial scandal can extend into political institutions, media ownership and public confidence in journalism.
