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Guatemalan president under pressure to resign

By on August 24, 2015
Presidential Palace, Guatemala

Presidential Palace, Guatemala

San Ignacio town, Cayo. Monday, August 24, 2015. The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro has called for respect for the laws and Constitution in Guatemala.

This follows political upheaval this past weekend, including the arrest of former Vice-President Roxana Baldetti on corruption charges on Friday.

Ambassador Almagro, according to a statement from the OAS, has “expressed concern over recent political developments in Guatemala, including calls from various sectors of society to postpone the elections scheduled for September 6.”

Otto Perez Molina

Otto Perez Molina

The OAS leader says that Guatemala should proceed with next month’s presidential election “under the existing constitutional order” and according to a June 15, 2015 resolution adopted by the OAS General Assembly in support of the electoral process in Guatemala.

“The Secretary General reiterates that citizens have the inalienable right to express their will through the ballot, thus ensuring the continuity of the democratic process in Guatemala,” says Ambassador Almagro.

In a televised address on Sunday night, embattled Guatemalan president Otto Perez Molina dismissed calls for his resignation and involvement in corruption, linked to a customs bribery scheme.

A report carried by the London-based British Broadcasting Company, BBC, quoted President Molina saying “I categorically reject any link” to the scandal.

The same BBC report goes on to quote President Molina saying that he will not resign and “will fully submit myself to the legal process.”

One Comment

  1. Alex

    August 24, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    This is a serious thing happening next door to Belize. We have to continue monitoring it closely.

    Reply

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