Otto Perez Molina

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Comedian Elected Guatemalan President

He promises free smartphones, anti-corruption drive

(Newser) - Guatemalans are hoping the joker they just elected will be better than the crook they just got rid of . Jimmy Morales, a TV comedian with no political experience, has been elected president with a whopping 72% of the vote, defeating former first lady Sandra Torres, reports the BBC , which notes...

Corruption Scandal Takes Down Guatemala's Prez

Otto Perez Molina resigns amid accusations of fraud, bribery

(Newser) - Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has resigned in the face of a corruption scandal that has brought his government to the brink. A spokesman says Perez Molina submitted his resignation at midnight after he was ordered to stand in front of a judge in the customs fraud case, which already...

7.4 Quake Hits Off Guatemala, 39 Dead

Buildings shake as far away as Mexico City

(Newser) - At least 39 people died in Guatemala today after a mighty 7.4-magnitude quake struck just off the coast. President Otto Perez Molina declared a state of emergency, urging people to evacuate tall buildings, the BBC reports. The quake hit about 15 miles southwest of Champerico at a depth of...

Guatemala Prez: Regulate the 'War on Drugs' to Death

Pérez Molina says experience proves drugs health issue, not criminal

(Newser) - Guatemala's President Otto Pérez Molina, due to his old job as head of intelligence services of the army, has been at the forefront of his country's drug war for more than 20 years. But despite "decades of big arrests and the seizure of tons of drugs,...

Violence-Torn Guatemala's Solution: Legalize Drugs?

President Otto Perez Molina to discuss idea with Central American leaders

(Newser) - New Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina came to power promising a "firm hand" against his country's worsening drug trafficking problems. But yesterday, Perez showed his hand, to some surprise: He called for drug legalization, not just in Guatemala but around Central America, reports the LA Times . "We'...

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