The Law Catches up to the President of Guatemala

On Thursday, September 3, 2015, Otto Pérez Molina, former president of Guatemala (2012-15) and leader of the Patriotic party, sits in court with an imperturbable look on his face. He listens calmly, taking notes as prosecutors play wiretap recordings implicating him as the leader of an extensive fraud ring, “La Linea.” Only a day ago, he had resigned from power as the president of Guatemala. When the recordings finish, he says a few words to the media proclaiming his innocence. He is then taken away to a prison cell. The prisoners around threaten him, whistle at him, and show him gang signs. He remains calm as he waits for his trial. Outside, in the drizzling tropical rain, protestors celebrate in Guatemala City’s central plaza with radiant songs, chants, drums beats, while waving Guatemalan flags.

Guatemala, though lush, culturally rich, and abundant with natural resources, has more problems than you can imagine. The 36-year long civil war that started around 1960, led by leftist guerrilla groups aiming to overthrow the harsh dictatorial rule of General Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes, set the stage for the severe situation that plagues Guatemala today. The war resulted in 140,000 – 200,000 dead and missing along with human rights violations on a grand scale.  Since the 1996 Peace Accords, Guatemala has made progress. It has become the biggest economy in Central America.  However, the poverty rate lies at around 50% with a 74% literacy rate (the second only to Haiti in the western hemisphere).  There is severe inequality between indigenous groups and the wealthy.  Malnutrition and infant mortality is one of the highest in Latin America.  Gangs, drug dealers, and other organized crime groups are responsible for widespread violence. Teen pregnancy rates are the highest in Latin America, with around 60,000 a year. Hospitals are running out of medicine and doctors are losing incentive to work. Police forces aren’t paid adequately, and thus resort to extracting bribes from the people they pull over to get by.  Corruption exists at the highest levels of government, which could be the most harmful factor of them all.  Finally, Otto Perez Molina was not doing anything about it. He was channeling money into his pockets instead, bringing the people to their breaking point.

In April, it was revealed that a customs fraud ring known as La Linea was in play.  The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), a UN-supported commission of independent prosecutors, partnered with the Guatemalan Justice Department for an investigation. CICIG uncovered conversations between corrupt officials mainly through a series of wiretaps.  In May, CICIG found solid evidence that Pérez Molina’s Vice President, Roxanna Baldetti, was involved in the ring.  Soon after, she resigned, much to the elation of the people. Thirty-eight of the government officials involved in the scheme were also convicted and jailed. For activist groups and protestors, this was a trigger to continue the struggle. Guatemala City’s central plaza was the rallying place where an estimated hundred thousand people advocated for the president’s resignation.  Even elite Guatemalan business owners joined the protests against Pérez-Molina after prosecutors announced on August 21 that there was evidence incriminating him.  A 132-0 vote from Congress stripped Pérez-Molina of his immunity from prosecution. The application of justice to the highest levels of government was a symbolic event for the ongoing class struggle, which was saturated with impunity for the powerful and discrimination against the poor. The event sent a powerful message of hope to the people.

Finally, Pérez Molina faced charges for his involvement as the “La Linea” ringleader, and consequently was ordered to stay in the country. Guatemalan customs agency officials received bribes from importers who in return received unlawful discounts on their customs duty. According to investigators, millions of dollars were stolen from customs revenue and contracts, dollars of which would have ultimately gone to the treasury and been much needed by the people. Fifty percent of the profits had gone to Pérez Molina and his former vice president Roxanna Baldetti, while the rest was shared among the other government officeholders involved.  To this moment, Otto Pérez Molina continues to deny any involvement with La Linea.

 The accusations against the government elite happened to be going on against the backdrop of upcoming presidential elections for Guatemala – which will not include Pérez Molina.  Frontrunners include Manuel Baldizón of the Partido Lider, a wealthy businessman and politician; Jimmy Morales of the Accion de Desarrollo Nacional Party, a television comedian with no political experience; and Sandra Torres for the Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza Party, former first lady to previous president Álvaro Colom who was involved in a variety of corruption scandals.  Say, does this pool of candidates resemble any other? Currently, Baldizón leads the polls by around 30%. However, the Guatemalan people are forced to vote for the lesser evil of the three. Some activists encourage the voters to abstain from voting.  Baldizón has already ignored the cap on election spending and is adamant about continuing campaign spending.  Not to mention he has been involved in a number of corruption scandals.  It is not surprising  that there is already widespread opposition toward him from the more educated population of Guatemala.

Bit by bit, the people of Guatemala are making progress. It will take a long time before real changes are made, but morale is high and the corrupt politicians are on the edge of their seats.