Guatemala: Anti-Corruption Protests Could Topple Ruling Party

Thousands took to the public squares in Guatemalan towns and cities over the weekend to demand the resignation of President Otto Perez Molina. Not even heavy rains stopped 20,000 people from demonstrating in the nation’s capital. The actions are the latest development in a year- long political crisis sparked by various cases of corruption, especially the illegal appropriation of funds from Guatemala’s Customs Service. Funds collected that were never reported to public administration officials may have come to US$7million a week. Vice President Roxana Baldetti has already been forced out of office due to corruption charges and Perez Molina may not be far behind. According to some observers, public outrage against the President just a few months before general elections could lead to his downfall and that of the ruling Patriotic Party, opening the door to new political forces in Guatemala. Gerardo Torres reports from Central America for teleSUR.