Guatemala arrests ex-cabinet ministers in public funds probe

GUATEMALA CITY — Authorities in Guatemala say police have arrested two former cabinet ministers in connection with the alleged misuse of public funds.

The former officials served under ex-President Otto Perez Molina and allegedly bought him a helicopter using government money.

A national police spokesman said yesterday that former Defense Minister Gen. Manuel Lopez Ambrosio had been arrested. A UN commission investigating corruption in Guatemala said former Interior Minister Mauricio Lopez Bonilla was also detained.

The two are alleged to have bought the helicopter as a personal gift for Perez Molina. They face charges of money laundering and conspiracy.

Perez Molina and his former Vice President Roxana Baldetti are jailed awaiting trial in multiple corruption cases.