By Ricardo Barrientos [1]
The relationship between political power and fiscal transparency has always been there, or at least, has been an issue for theoretic or academic debate. But since 2015, Guatemala offered a very concrete case which showed this relationship, perhaps in a dramatic way.
The whole world heard how Guatemalans exercised citizenship in an exemplary and pacific way, by gathering massively in Central Square protesting against corruption and demanding the resignation of Vice President Roxana Baldetti and President Otto Pérez Molina. Today both of them, plus hundreds of Government officials, congressmen, Supreme Court members, mayors, judges, businessmen and individuals, face trial for corruption charges. By any standard, this is no small story, not to say for Guatemala, a country better known for rampant impunity, violence (suffered a 36 year civil war), poverty and deprived living conditions for most of its population.