Guatemala is experiencing an unprecedented and well-deserved
offensive against corruption. An Ex-President and Vice-President
along with many ex-Cabinet members are currently being prosecuted
for a growing array of crimes including passive graft, money
laundering and tax fraud, among others. The indictments are being
brought through the efforts of a UN-sponsored commission which,
until recently, had limited success in dismantling "organized
crime", its principal mandate. The revelations have exposed
different corruption networks, involving accusations against
attorneys, judges, and Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
magistrates. They have generated a climate of wariness leading
judges to deny, at times, sensible requests for bail due to the
fear of being prosecuted themselves. Some companies' legal
representatives are being prosecuted for active graft, accused of
illegally financing the electoral campaigns of the prior government
in exchange for financial benefits
