Guatemalan Congress strips president’s immunity
Gudy Rivera, president of Guatemala’s Congress, right, places the presidential sash on Guatemala’s President Otto Perez Molina during his swearing-in ceremony in Guatemala City, Saturday (January 14, 2012). AP PHOTO
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala—Guatemala’s Congress voted Tuesday to strip embattled President Otto Perez’s immunity, clearing the way for him to be prosecuted over allegations he masterminded a massive corruption scheme.
The resolution was passed unanimously by the 132 lawmakers present, who had faced virulent demands from protesters to make the conservative leader face trial over the alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme at the national customs service.
Protesters outside Congress erupted into jubilant cheers after the vote, as passing drivers honked their horns in celebration.
Perez, a 64-year-old retired general, is the first president to have his immunity revoked in the Central American country’s history.
The vote clears the way for prosecutors to charge him with masterminding a scheme that allowed businesses to reduce their customs duty by paying bribes to corrupt officials.
The 132 votes in favor were well clear of the two-thirds majority needed for the motion to pass in the 158-member legislature.
RELATED STORIES
Guatemala’s president may face corruption trial
Top Guatemala prosecutor urges Perez to resign
