From Brazil to Guatemala, Haiti to Mexico, high-level corruption seems to be crisscrossing Latin America like a cigarette boat these days, reports the Miami Herald. In all, 20 presidents and ex-presidents from 14 countries in Latin America have been charged with corruption since 1990.
Five were kicked from or fled their offices before finishing their terms. One was convicted and is serving a 20-year sentence, and two are in jail awaiting trial; others may be served with international arrest warrants any day now. At least nine are still enmeshed in legal battles. Is corruption in Latin America worse now, or are these politicians simply getting caught more often? Analysts say it may be a bit of both.