Baldizon seeks political asylum in the US

Former presidential candidate and leader of Lider political party Manuel Baldizon was apprehended attempting to illegally enter the United States on Saturday. He fled Guatemala because he authorities there are ready to charge him on charges of illicit association, bribery, and money laundering. Baldizon allegedly took bribes from Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction company involved in corrupt deals throughout the hemisphere. Baldizon is now requesting asylum in the United States.

Conditions in Guatemala are politically sensitive right now. Corrupt legislators have occupied the junta directiva and Attorney General Thelma Aldana has stated that the president is not an ally in the fight against corruption.