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Guatemala President Perez Molina resists calls to resign | Guatemala President Perez Molina resists calls to resign |
(35 minutes later) | |
Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has said that he will not stand down over corruption allegations. | |
In a televised address to the nation, Mr Perez Molina dismissed claims that he had received money from a customs bribery scheme. | |
He insisted that his conscience was clear. | He insisted that his conscience was clear. |
Eight members of his government have resigned over the allegations and a former vice-president has been arrested. | |
On Sunday, the agriculture and health minsters became the latest to resign. | |
"I categorically reject any link" to the scandal, the president said. | |
"I will not resign and will fully submit myself to the legal process." | |
Mr Perez Molina's comments followed a late-night cabinet meeting held behind closed doors at the presidential palace. | Mr Perez Molina's comments followed a late-night cabinet meeting held behind closed doors at the presidential palace. |
Anti-corruption protesters have held daily demonstrations in the capital calling for the president to step down. | Anti-corruption protesters have held daily demonstrations in the capital calling for the president to step down. |
On Friday, former Vice-President Roxana Baldetti was arrested on corruption charges three months after she was forced to leave office. | On Friday, former Vice-President Roxana Baldetti was arrested on corruption charges three months after she was forced to leave office. |
She is accused of taking part in the same bribery scheme. | She is accused of taking part in the same bribery scheme. |
Nearly 30 other people have been detained, accused of taking millions of dollars from businessmen who paid bribes in order to avoid higher import duties. | Nearly 30 other people have been detained, accused of taking millions of dollars from businessmen who paid bribes in order to avoid higher import duties. |
Presidential elections are being held in early September, but electoral law bars Mr Perez Molina from standing for another term. | |
The elections are expected to go to a second round of voting, later in October. |
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