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Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina resigns | Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina resigns |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has resigned hours after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. | Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has resigned hours after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. |
Prosecutors accuse Mr Perez Molina of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars. He denies the allegations. | Prosecutors accuse Mr Perez Molina of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars. He denies the allegations. |
On Tuesday, Congress stripped him of his immunity from prosecution, a first in the Central American nation. | On Tuesday, Congress stripped him of his immunity from prosecution, a first in the Central American nation. |
A spokesman said Mr Perez Molina had decided to step down to "confront the proceedings against him". | A spokesman said Mr Perez Molina had decided to step down to "confront the proceedings against him". |
Bribery allegations | Bribery allegations |
Mr Perez Molina's resignation comes just days before Sunday's presidential election, in which he was barred from standing under constitutional rules. | Mr Perez Molina's resignation comes just days before Sunday's presidential election, in which he was barred from standing under constitutional rules. |
Analysis: Katy Watson, BBC News, Central America correspondent | |
For weeks now Guatemalans have been chanting "fuera" (out). | |
They shouted because more than anything they wanted President Perez Molina to resign. | |
They were outraged at these most recent corruption scandals and while corruption has always been present - and even tolerated - in Guatemala, people had had enough. | |
Their voices have now been heard. Guatemalans feel this is their moment, that for once they have been listened to. | |
On a day that until recently they never thought they would see, people on the streets feel empowered. | |
Vice-President Alejandro Maldonado is expected to govern until the new president is sworn in on 14 January. | Vice-President Alejandro Maldonado is expected to govern until the new president is sworn in on 14 January. |
Mr Maldonado has only been in the post since mid-May, when his predecessor Roxana Baldetti resigned. | Mr Maldonado has only been in the post since mid-May, when his predecessor Roxana Baldetti resigned. |
Ms Baldetti is accused of involvement in the same corruption scheme which Mr Perez Molina allegedly masterminded. | Ms Baldetti is accused of involvement in the same corruption scheme which Mr Perez Molina allegedly masterminded. |
Investigators say the scheme, dubbed La Linea, or The Line, involved businesses paying bribes to government officials and custom officers in return for being allowed to evade import duties. | Investigators say the scheme, dubbed La Linea, or The Line, involved businesses paying bribes to government officials and custom officers in return for being allowed to evade import duties. |
Mass protests | Mass protests |
The corruption scandal has triggered a series of mass protests in Guatemala and widespread calls for Mr Perez Molina to resign. | The corruption scandal has triggered a series of mass protests in Guatemala and widespread calls for Mr Perez Molina to resign. |
But until Wednesday night, the president had stood firm, saying he would serve out his term. | But until Wednesday night, the president had stood firm, saying he would serve out his term. |
His spokesman said Mr Perez Molina had handed in his letter of resignation just before midnight local time. | His spokesman said Mr Perez Molina had handed in his letter of resignation just before midnight local time. |
Congress still has to approve his resignation before it comes into force. | Congress still has to approve his resignation before it comes into force. |
Local media said Mr Perez Molina's current whereabouts were unknown. | Local media said Mr Perez Molina's current whereabouts were unknown. |
On Tuesday, a judge barred him from leaving the country "as a precautionary measure". | On Tuesday, a judge barred him from leaving the country "as a precautionary measure". |
Earlier this week, Mr Perez Molina said he would be "very respectful and submit himself to the rule of law". | Earlier this week, Mr Perez Molina said he would be "very respectful and submit himself to the rule of law". |
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