Guatemala City, November 2 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Interpol has issued a global red alert for the arrest of Guatemalan businessman Gustavo Alejos Cambara, believed to be ringleader of a corruption network in Guatemala’s social security institute (IGSS).

The businessman is also wanted by the Sixth Criminal Court of Guatemala, which is bringing the case against 11 individuals over the corruption scandal of the dealing of medicines in the IGSS.
  
Alejos Cambara has been a fugitive since Tuesday, when he evaded a warrant for his arrest for crimes of criminal association, bribery, and drug traffic.

Investigations by Guatemala’s public ministry and International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala revealed that Gustavo Alejos would favor certain medical suppliers in exchange for “commissions.”

Operators of the corruption ring would negotiate with medical suppliers and with IGSS officials, manipulating processes of acquisition of medical products and services. According to the report, commissions obtained were paid by the suppliers and shared among public officials who were participating in the dirty deal.

Last June, Guatemala’s justice system ordered the freezing of bank accounts held by the then-president of the social security agency, Juan de Dios Rodriguez, for his alleged role in the corruption case.

The official was the former secretary of former president Otto Perez Molina, who was forced to resign his role over this, and another corruption case.

Last week Guatemalans elected a new president, former comedian Jimmy Morales with 70 percent of the vote, although in the context of a record abstention rate of almost 63 percent, according to the last official estimate.

"As president I received a mandate, and the mandate of the people of Guatemala is to fight against the corruption that is consuming us," Morales said.