Thousands of Guatemalans Call for Nationwide Strike to Oust President

Thousands of protesters urged for a national strike in Guatemala in an attempt to persuade the country’s president to resign.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Thousands of protesters urged for a national strike in Guatemala on Thursday in an attempt to persuade the country’s president Otto Perez to resign over a massive corruption scandal, the US International Business Times reported Thursday.

Earlier in the week, the Guatemalan court jailed former Vice President Roxana Baldetti after the prosecution found evidence that Perez and Baldetti had been involved in a scheme lowering customs taxes of importers in exchange for bribes.

Protesters from local universities and businesses have also staged massive marches blocking highways, which are expected to last several days.

Perez has repeatedly refused to step down from office despite the newly found evidence of his alleged bribery.

Later in the day, the country’s 158 lawmakers will review the findings to decide whether to overrule the Guatemalan president’s immunity from prosecution.

The Guatemalan ministers of finance, economy, infrastructure, education and health have all resigned amid the corruption scandal.