...

Ex-comedian becomes Guatemala’s new leader

Other News Materials 15 January 2016 08:03 (UTC +04:00)
Former comedian Jimmy Morales has been sworn in as Guatemala’s new president, having come to the fore on a wave of public discontent with the previous administration.
Ex-comedian becomes Guatemala’s new leader

Former comedian Jimmy Morales has been sworn in as Guatemala's new president, having come to the fore on a wave of public discontent with the previous administration, Sputnik reported.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday and was attended by US Vice President Joe Biden. Morales is yet to name his cabinet.

A 46-year-old former TV comic with hardly any political experience, Morales won in the October 25 elections after a successful anti-corruption campaign.

Morales got the support of some 70 percent of voters in Guatemala, where public discontent with the authorities grew after a major corruption scandal.

Guatemala's former president Otto Perez Molina resigned in September amid a major corruption conspiracy involving the country's now resigned vice president Roxana Baldetti, which enabled officials to lower customs taxes in exchange for bribes.

Morales has promised to fight against government corruption in Guatemala.

Tags:
Latest

Latest