This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-34147891

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Guatemalan congress accepts president's resignation Guatemala judge orders jail for ex-president Perez Molina
(about 3 hours later)
Congress in Guatemala has approved the resignation of President Otto Perez Molina two days after stripping him of his immunity. A Guatemalan judge has ordered former president, Otto Perez Molina, to be held in prison while hearings take place over his alleged role in a huge bribery scheme.
Mr Perez Molina is appearing before a judge in connection with the alleged embezzlement of millions of dollars from the national customs service. On Tuesday, Congress stripped him of his immunity from prosecution which opened the way for criminal charges to be brought against him.
He has denied any wrongdoing.He has denied any wrongdoing.
The Guatemalan congress has sworn in the Vice-President, Alejandro Maldonado, as interim head of state. The vice president has been sworn in as interim head of state, ahead of elections this Sunday.
Mr Perez Molina's alleged corruption sparked huge protests in recent months. Alejandro Maldonado is expected to govern until the new president is sworn in on 14 January.
His resignation comes just days before Sunday's presidential election. He was barred from standing under constitutional rules. 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 is accused of masterminding.
She is also being held in prison.
Analysis: Katy Watson, BBC Central America correspondentAnalysis: Katy Watson, BBC Central America correspondent
Perez Molina has been hanging on until the bitter end - determined not to resign, even amid weekly protests and calls for him to go. Mr Perez Molina has been hanging on until the bitter end - determined not to resign, even amid weekly protests and calls for him to go.
But stripped of his immunity earlier this week, barred from leaving Guatemala and with an arrest warrant now out, Perez Molina had little choice but to give himself up. But stripped of his immunity earlier this week, barred from leaving Guatemala and with an arrest warrant, he had little choice but to give himself up.
He maintains his innocence and his lawyer says he is prepared to face the accusations against him.He maintains his innocence and his lawyer says he is prepared to face the accusations against him.
Guatemalans, angry at government corruption, see this as a huge victory.
With presidential elections on Sunday, it sends a message that corruption won't be tolerated as it was in the past - people here see this as the start of a new chapter.With presidential elections on Sunday, it sends a message that corruption won't be tolerated as it was in the past - people here see this as the start of a new chapter.
Vice-President 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.
Ms Baldetti is accused of involvement in the same corruption scheme which Mr Perez Molina is accused of masterminding.
At least 100 people are being investigated in the scheme, dubbed La Linea, or The Line.At least 100 people are being investigated in the scheme, dubbed La Linea, or The Line.
Investigators say the scheme involved businesses paying bribes to government officials and customs officers in return for being allowed to evade import duties. Investigators say it involved businesses paying bribes to government officials and customs officers in return for being allowed to evade import duties.
The corruption scandal 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.
On Tuesday, a judge barred Mr Perez Molina from leaving the country "as a precautionary measure".On Tuesday, a judge barred Mr Perez Molina from leaving the country "as a precautionary measure".
Earlier this week, he said he would be "very respectful and submit himself to the rule of law".Earlier this week, he said he would be "very respectful and submit himself to the rule of law".
Mr Perez Molina's resignation on Thursday and arrest are a huge victory for an unprecedented anti-corruption protest movement that had swelled in recent months, with regular marches in Guatemala's major cities.