UN anti-graft body in Guatemala says it won 310 convictions

GUATEMALA CITY – A U.N. commission investigating corruption in Guatemala says it has won 310 convictions in its 11 years in operation, defending its work even as President Jimmy Morales has moved to shut it down.

The commission known as CICIG also says in its annual report that it has brought more than 100 cases and broken up 60 criminal networks.

Friday’s presentation of the report began with an ovation for commission chief Ivan Velasquez, who has been barred from the country and attended via internet.

Morales has declined to renew CICIG’s mandate for another two years, giving it until the end of its term next September to wrap up activities.

The commission has pressed cases against the president and some of his relatives and associates. He denies allegations of illicit campaign financing.