Monday May 16, 2022
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » Guatemalans Rejoice as Ousted Pérez Molina Awaits Trial in Jail

Guatemalans Rejoice as Ousted Pérez Molina Awaits Trial in Jail

Elena Toledo by Elena Toledo
September 4, 2015
in Elections, Guatemala, News, Politics, South America
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp
Thousands of Guatemalans gathered to celebrate the resignation of President Pérez Molina.
Thousands of Guatemalans gathered to celebrate the resignation of President Pérez Molina. (PanAm Post)

EspañolFollowing months of protests demanding the impeachment of Otto Pérez Molina, Guatemalans awoke on Thursday to the news that the president had resigned.

Since April, thousands have gathered in Guatemala City’s main square, Constitution Plaza, to demand Pérez Molina step down amid allegations of his involvement in a customs-fraud scheme known as “La Línea” (the Line). On early Thursday morning, citizens filled the plaza once again, this time in celebration, chanting “Guate! Guate!” and “Yes, we did it!”

RelatedArticles

The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US

The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US

August 21, 2021
GETTR: the powerful weapon of Trump and international right wing

GETTR: the powerful weapon of Trump and international right wing

July 13, 2021

“From all the harm that Otto Pérez Molina caused Guatemala, something good came out of it. This country stood up for a new and better democracy,” María Isabel González tells the PanAm Post from her wheelchair, while holding the national flag.

The “fall of the president,” she says, is something worth celebrating.

[adrotate group=”8″]

Shops opened up as usual in the surrounding area, and business owners saw their sales increase due to the large turnout.

“Seize the opportunity! There is no president, you can process your urgent paperwork today,” a man says jokingly, offering his services to cope with bureaucracy.

Outside the home of Otto Pérez Molina in the capital’s Zone 15, his detractors also gathered to celebrate, despite the former president and his family having left in the early hours, according to local press.

The Guatemalan Congress convened in the morning to formally accept the president’s resignation. The historic vote took place at 12:08 p.m. local time, and with 116 votes in favor and 43 abstentions, Pérez Molina’s 44-month term as president came to an end.

As congressmen cast their votes, officials brought down the portraits of the former president from the walls of the government palace, and Otto Pérez Molina presented himself before a Guatemalan court. The judge then read the charges: unlawful association, customs fraud, and bribery.

“I stand with my head held high, as I go through these moments of great difficulty,” the former president said in court. “I thank you for your solidarity, your sadness. I will continue to confront this.”

Interim President Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre has called for the resignation of Pérez Molina's entire cabinet.
Interim President Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre has called for the resignation of Pérez Molina’s entire cabinet. (La Prensa)

Later on Thursday afternoon, Congress swore in Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre — Pérez Molina’s vice president — as his successor. “Guatemala is confident in having a man as serious and capable as him to complete this term,” said Pérez Molina, whose term would have ended on January 14, 2016.

In his first public statement to the press, Maldonado announced plans to donate his salary to a “nursing home,” and called for the resignation of Pérez Molina’s entire cabinet.

Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez ruled that Pérez Molina shall remain in custody at the Matamoros military unit pending trial.

Translated by Adam Dubove and Rachel Rodriguez.

Tags: Alejandro Maldonadootto perez molina
Previous Post

“Rigged” Trial Could Land Leopoldo López 14 Years in Prison

Next Post

Brazil Eyes Drug Liberalization, a Taste of Sanity

Elena Toledo

Elena Toledo

Educator by trade, social-media apprentice, activist for a democratic Honduras, and free thinker. Follow her on Twitter @NenaToledo.

Related Posts

The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US
Columnists

The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US

August 21, 2021
GETTR: the powerful weapon of Trump and international right wing
United States

GETTR: the powerful weapon of Trump and international right wing

July 13, 2021
News

Maduro’s Trial Falls Behind Despite Coordination Between Interim Government and ICC

June 15, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
News

15 Republicans Who Voted Against Trump Are Already Facing the Consequences

February 1, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
Analysis

Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips

February 1, 2021
Three Key Moments to Remind Us That the UN Is a Nest of Oppressive Regimes
Analysis

Antiracist Baby: Netflix Series Loaded with Racially Indoctrinating Children

January 29, 2021
Next Post
Brazil Eyes Drug Liberalization, a Taste of Sanity

Brazil Eyes Drug Liberalization, a Taste of Sanity

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.