GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION RESIGNS

GUATEMALA CITY – Embattled Guatemalan President Otto Perez announced his resignation Thursday, after a warrant was issued for his arrest for allegedly masterminding a huge fraud scheme.

The conservative leader, in power since 2012, decided to step down to confront “individually the proceedings against him,” his spokesman Jorge Ortega said, hours after the arrest warrant was issued.

On Tuesday, Congress stripped him of his immunity, paving the way for him to be prosecuted.

His resignation upsets the political landscape in the central American nation just days before voters go to the polls to elect a new president who will take office in 2016.

Sunday’s election is also being held to choose members of Congress and local mayors.

Vice President Alejandro Maldonado(photo) is to assume power until Perez’s successor is sworn in.

• Perez is accused of masterminding a huge fraud scheme, known as “La Linea” (The Line), a scandal that already forced his last vice president to step aside.
• Six of his 14 ministers have resigned in recent days, along with several other top officials.
• Perez is expected to appear before a judge Thursday morning.

Allegations and public pressure have snowballed against his government, leaving him increasingly isolated.

Before the warrant for his arrest was issued Wednesday, Perez’s lawyers filed a court document saying he would cooperate with the investigation, allowing the 64-year-old leader  to avoid being 
taken into custody.

Source: AFP