Latin America | Guatemala | Corruption

Guatemala’s ex-vice president ordered held in jail during corruption trial

A judge ordered Guatemala's former vice president to remain in jail Wednesday while she stands trial on charges of conspiracy, customs fraud and bribery, based on allegations that she accepted $3.7 million in bribes as part of the scandal that forced her from office. Judge Miguel Angel Galvez ruled that former Vice President Roxana Baldetti would not be allowed bail because she held an Italian passport and was considered a flight risk. On Monday, he ordered her to stand trial on charges of receiving bribes from businessmen to evade import duties. She denies any wrongdoing. Leaving the

Latin America | Guatemala | Corruption

Guatemala vice president resigns amid corruption scandal

Source: The Tico Times News

Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina announced Friday that his vice president, Roxana Baldetti, was resigning after one of her top aides was accused of participating in a customs bribery ring. The announcement came two days after Guatemala‘s Supreme Court called on Congress to remove Baldetti’s immunity from prosecution, clearing the way for possible legal action against the vice president. Pérez said Baldetti had voluntarily left the post “in order to participate in and collaborate with the necessary investigations and above all with due process of the law.” “Her decisi

Latin America | Guatemala | Corruption

Unprecedented: Guatemala revokes vice president’s immunity

Source: Pangea Today

Guatemala’s Supreme Court unanimously decided to revoke Vice President Roxana Baldetti’s immunity, and approved an unprecedented pre-trial hearing to investigate her alleged involvement with a network of officials charged with customs fraud. To date, 24 people have been arrested, including the top tax official in the country. The scheme was allegedly run by Baldetti’s private secretary who is currently on the government’s most wanted list and reported missing. The Supreme Court believe that there is sufficient evidence to take away Baldetti’s immunity, as requested by the p

Latin America | Guatemala | Corruption

Guatemalans demand vice president Roxana Baldetti and president resign over corruption scandal

Source: Tico Times News

Thousands of Guatemalans gathered in the country’s capital on Saturday to demand the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina and Vice President Roxana Baldetti following revelation of a tax corruption scandal involving top government officials — including Baldetti’s private secretary. Protesters yelled “Resign now,” blew whistles and banged pots and pans while demanding that the country’s top two officials leave their posts and turn themselves over to the courts. “We don’t want the thieves to govern anymore,” said 70-year-old María Letona, who went to the protest wit