Guatemalans stage protest rally against former president
People in Guatemala have staged a protest rally against the Central American country’s former president, Otto Perez Molina, outside the court where a hearing was held on corruption charges he faces.
On Friday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court in the capital Guatemala City, celebrating Perez Molina’s resignation following months of protests.
"Politicians have always done whatever they wanted here. These corruption scandals have made a lot of people wake up. We're not going to take it anymore," a 34-year-old demonstrator told AFP.
During the rally, which was held two days before the country’s presidential election, the protesters also called for the vote to be postponed until sweeping reforms can be enacted.
Perez Molina is accused of being behind a massive corruption scheme, in which business people reportedly paid bribes to avoid import duties.
He resigned on Thursday, hours after an arrest warrant was issued for him. A probe is underway into corruption allegations against his administration.
Following Perez Molina’s resignation, the country’s vice president, Alejandro Maldonado, was sworn in as the interim president.
Maldonado will serve as the country’s head of state until January 14, 2016, when the winner of the presidential election is inaugurated.
During the Friday trial, the former president declared his innocence in the corruption scandal.
"I am not going to risk my dignity, my work, nor all the effort I have made for Guatemala in return for $800,000," the former leader said, referring to dollar figure presented by prosecutors regarding the scandal.
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