Despite heavy rain, an estimated 60,000 people marched against corruption on Saturday in Guatemala for #RenunciaYaFase2.

Phase 1 was held April 25 demanding the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina and Vice President Roxana Baldetti after revelations by the Public Ministry and the CICIG (International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala) of a criminal network of customs fraud and smuggling operating in the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT).

Vice President Roxana Baldetti resigned on May 8 and Guatemala’s Supreme Court ruled lawmakers could revoke the vice president’s immunity from prosecution. Erick Archila, Minister of Energy and Mines resigned May 15 after reports that he will face congressional investigation which according to Telesur “centers around allegations a hydroelectric construction product overseen by Archila’s ministry was mired in financial irregularities.” Archila is the second high ranking government official to resign in Guatemala this month.

From various points of the capital city organized groups of people marched peacefully against corruption. Soy502 reported groups of riders, cyclists, people from civil society, indigenous movements, the University of San Carlos, Del Valle, Mariano Galvez, Francisco Marroquin, Landivar; and cooperatives demanding justice and religious tolerance not government corruption in Saturday’s second mass mobilization.

VIDEO: USAC students head to the Plaza de la Constitution

Complaints surfaced during the April 25 march of signal loss in the square and denouncements of surveillance usage on peaceful protesters. We are told that initially there were some issues with the signal during the afternoon however by 5:30pm there were no issues with mobile networks in the protest area. Participants were still skeptical with installations of cameras and lights in the square.

“Sure this is for ‘our security’”

All photos courtesy of Camilo Sarti Fotografía

Sources:
Soy502
Telesur
Reuters