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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | August 2005 
Former Guatemalan President on the Run in Mexico Requests Visa Renewal
 Wire services
| | Then-president Alfonso Portillo congratulates newly-elected president Vicente Fox on his victory in Guatemala City, September 11, 2000. |
Mexico City – Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo, wanted in his home country for allegedly misusing millions in public funds, has asked the Mexican government to renew his work visa, according to Mexico's interior secretary.
Portillo, whose four-year term as Guatemala's leader ended in January 2004, fled to Mexico and took up residence there as the corruption scandal in his home country grew.
His lawyers requested a visa renewal in the last few days, Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal said during a news conference with reporters.
Abascal said the Guatemalan investigation wouldn't affect Mexico's decision, adding that the country's decisions are "autonomous."
It was unclear when the decision on the visa would be made.
He said Mexican officials weren't monitoring Portillo, who was last known to be living in the southern city of Chilpancingo and working as an adviser to a construction materials distributor owned by a friend.
Guatemalan prosecutors have asked a judge to approve a request to have Portillo extradited to Guatemala to face corruption charges. The request is still working its way through Guatemalan courts.
Portillo is accused of authorizing the transfer of US$16 million (euro13 million) to the Defense Ministry, where investigators allege much of it was converted to cash and pocketed by officials close to Portillo. |
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