Guatemala President Called in to Testify for Corruption Charges

Guatemalan President, Otto Perez Molina, has been ordered to appeared before Congress this Thursday to face questioning for his alleged role in a US$14 million corruption scandal that has angered the nation.   

“The decision was taken to summon, for next Thursday at 10 in the morning, Mr. Otto Fernando Perez Molina, President of Guatemala, to appear to testify,” said lawmaker Baudillo Hichos, who added that the decision is in line with the law on impeachment. 

The summons was delivered to Perez Tuesday afternoon, along with a 35-page document detailing the investigation process and the charges made against him. 

The Central American country has been awash in corruption scandals in recent months, including multimillion dollar dealings with the Guatemalan social security and tax collection agencies. The scandals have lead to mass protests in the street with Guatemalans demanding justice and that the president be removed. 

Inquiries into the scandal have already forced Vice President Roxana Baldetti to step down from her position, while other high-level officials, including the Central Bank chief and former personal secretary to President Perez, have been arrested over bribery allegation.    

Guatemala's Supreme Court put Congress in charge of investigating Perez's involvement in the scandal last week, whereby a special congressional committee consisting of five Guatemalan lawmakers was created to lead the proceedings. 

Following his testimony, the 158 legislators will vote on whether the president should be stripped of his immunity and face trial. They will need at least 105 votes to force Perez through the courts.