#GUATEMALA: Former Comedian Elected Pres. With 68% Of The Vote In Corruption-Stained Nation

[world politics news]

Jimmy Morales, a former TV comedian with no experience in government, has won Guatemala's presidential election Sunday in a landslide after a corruption scandal toppled the country's last leader and fueled voter outrage. Morales, 46, defeated the former first lady following a probe into a multi-million dollar customs racket that led to the resignation and arrest of Pres. Otto Perez.

#GUATEMALA: Comedian Headed To Oct. 25 Run-Off As Corruption-Weary Voters Select President

[world politics news]

A popular comedian is headed into an Oct. 25 run-off election with the presidential candidates of the two traditional parties. With 81.5 percent of the ballots counted, Jimmy Morales had 25.8 percent, against 18.6 percent for lawyer Manuel Baldizon and 17.9 percent for former first lady Sandra Torres.

#GUATEMALA: Pres. Molina Forced To Resign, Goes On Trial The Next Day On Corruption Charges

[world politics news]

Otto Perez Molina sat in a defendant’s chair Friday and declared his innocence in a customs corruption scandal that forced him to resign a day earlier as president of this Central American nation. He denies allegations he was involved in a conspiracy to defraud the state by letting businesses evade import duties in exchange for bribes.

#BELIZE: Prime Min. Barrow Protests Guatemalan Naval Incursion On Territorial Waters

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Dean Barrow has lodged a diplomatic protest with the Guatemalan government about an incident this past Sunday in which boats from the country's Territorial Volunteers were harassed by the Guatemalan Navy near Sarstoon Island in the Sarstoon River. Belize claims half the river, while Guatemala insists Belize's territory ends at the river bank.

GUATEMALA: Former Dictator Rios Montt Ordered to Face Genocide Charges in Court