Corruption scandal

One day after turning himself in following months on the run, Juan Carlos Monzon Rojas, Baldetti's former personal secretary, told judge during his initial court appearance that he was just following orders.

The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala confirmed that Monzon Rojas surrendered Sunday night. A Guatemala judge had set his initial hearing for early Monday. The hearing began with the playing of intercepted phone calls and later Monzon Rojas himself addressed the court.

Most are old-guard candidates picked to run before energized prosecutors backed by a mass anti-corruption movement toppled the previous administration. Many voters are so skeptical that they campaigned for the election itself to be postponed to give them a new crop of choices.

Prosecutor's office spokeswoman Julia Barrera confirmed the arrest and said more details would be released later. Baldetti is suspected of illicit association, customs fraud and graft.

The office said prosecutor Francisco Sandoval informed Baldetti of her detention at a hospital where she was seeking treatment for health problems.

Baldetti has denied involvement in the scandal at the customs agency, which involved kickbacks paid by businesspeople in return for lower import duties.