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Guatemala corruption scandal leads to political crisis, resignations

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A police agent stands guard inside a courtroom during Guatemala's former Vice President Roxana Baldetti hearing in Guatemala City, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. Baldetti was detained Friday in connection with a customs corruption scandal that led to her resignation, and prosecutors announced they are seeking to investigate President Otto Perez Molina in the matter. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (The Associated Press)

Guatemala's former Vice President Roxana Baldetti attends her hearing inside a courtroom in Guatemala City, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. Baldetti was detained Friday in connection with a customs corruption scandal that previously led to her resignation. Prosecutors are also seeking to investigate President Otto Perez Molina. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (The Associated Press)

In this Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 photo, demonstrators hold effigies representing Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina, right, and former Vice President Roxana Baldetti, during a protest demanding the resignation of Perez Molina, outside the National Palace in Guatemala City. Baldetti was detained Friday in connection with a customs corruption scandal that led to her resignation in May, and prosecutors announced they are seeking to investigate Perez Molina in the matter. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (The Associated Press)

Street demonstrations, the resignation of cabinet ministers and the arrest of his former vice president are pushing Guatemalan president Otto Perez Molina into a corner.

Protesters demanding Perez Molina's resignation blocked roads on the outskirts of Guatemala City on Tuesday, and a judge is expected to issue a ruling on allegations that former Vice President Roxana Baldetti accepted $3.7 million in bribes as part of a scandal that forced her from office.

Since Friday, five of Perez Molina's 13 cabinet secretaries have resigned, mainly because of the scandal.

Tensions are mounting ahead of the Sept. 6 elections, which are to elect Perez Molina's successor.

Some protesters are demanding the elections be postponed until the corruption scandal is resolved and Perez Molina resigns.