Unprecedented people power movement against corruption wins resignation after a Guatemalan Spring | Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

Guatemalan President Otto Perez has resigned, his spokesman said after Congress stripped the leader of immunity over corruption allegations and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The embattled conservative leader, in power since 2012, took Thursday’s decision to step down to confront “individually the proceedings against him,” his spokesman Jorge Ortega said, days before a…

Guatemala City, Guatemala – An extraordinary groundswell of people-power driving historic political and social changes in Guatemala is making the “Guatemalan Spring” look increasingly irresistible. The audacious theft of millions of dollars of public money by politicians and businessmen while poor patients died in public hospitals has triggered an unprecedented collective political awakening among Guatemala’s historically…

Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina issued his late Wednesday night following a warrant for his arrest, CNN confirmed. The move will become official once congress approves it. The decision followed weeks of protests. Congress stripped Pérez of immunity on Tuesday. Pérez is charged with fraud, bribery, and illicit association. Needless to say, the corruption scandal is…