Guatemala congress swears in new president

“You can't consider your work done,” Maldonado said in remarks aimed at the demonstrators, who continue to demand change at ongoing rallies. “In what is left of this year, there must be a positive response.”

Police officers escorted Guatemala's former president to an overnight jail stay on Thursday, amid a corruption scandal that has roiled the nation’s government.

Judge Miguel Angel Galvez ordered Perez Molina, 64, to be held provisionally without bail to guarantee his safety and ensure his appearance in court tomorrow.

Judges are hearing evidence from prosecutors who seek to bring criminal charges against the man who was president of the country until last night.

Perez Molina denies the allegations, calling them hearsay. He says the jail stay is unnecessary and reiterated his willingness to face the corruption investigation against head-on.

Perez Molina resigned at midnight Thursday after a judge issued an order to detain him.

Prosecutors have said they have reason to believe Perez Molina was involved in a fraud scandal involving bribes funneled to a chain of officials who helped businesses evade import duties. The fraud probe has already led to the jailing of his vice president and the resignation of some Cabinet ministers.

Attorney General Thelma Aldana has said Perez Molina is being investigated for possible illicit association, bribery and customs fraud. 

Perez Molina vows to face the legal process when charges are filed. 

Uncovered by prosecutors and a U.N. commission probing criminal networks in Guatemala, the corruption scandal involved a scheme known as “La Linea,” or “The Line,” in which businesspeople paid bribes to avoid import duties through the customs agency. The ring is believed to have defrauded the state of millions of dollars.

The scandal has already claimed the job of former Vice President Roxana Baldetti, whose former personal secretary was named as the alleged ringleader. Baldetti resigned May 8 and is currently in jail awaiting trial on accusations she took millions of dollars in bribes. Llike Perez Molina, she says she is innocent.

Protesters have been filling the streets almost daily over the scandal, demanding not only that Perez Molina step down but that next Sunday's presidential elections be postponed. He says delaying the vote would be against the law.

Those voting against Perez Molina in Congress earlier in the week included members of his own ruling party.

Business leaders, Guatemala's National Council of Bishops and even the government comptrollers' office have all urged Perez Molina to step down.

Al Jazeera and wire services