GUATEMALA CITY – A Mexican former governor wanted on corruption charges is appearing before a Guatemalan court that will consider his possible extradition.
Veracruz ex-Gov. Javier Duarte de Ochoa arrived at the tribunal Wednesday in a police van that was mobbed by reporters. He emerged wearing a bulletproof vest and was escorted inside.
Duarte de Ochoa was arrested Saturday at a hotel in a lakeside tourist town in Guatemala’s highlands, six months after he abruptly resigned and dropped out of sight.
He is accused of running a ring that allegedly stole millions of dollars from government coffers. In the past he has denied the allegations.
Duarte de Ochoa has also been widely criticized for rampant drug cartel-fueled violence in Veracruz during his nearly six-year administration, a period during which at least 16 journalists were killed in the state.
