Guatemala's history is plagued with corruption and death, having suffered through some of the most horrific internal conflicts of the latter 20th century; however, there has been some attempt to bring criminals to justice, even if they committed crimes after Guatemala's civil war.

On Thursday, a New York court found former Guatemalan president Alfonso Portillo guilty of money laundering, according to EFE. Though it may be odd for a Guatemalan former head of state to be tried in the United States, Portillo was extradited to New York in May 2013 because he embezzled millions of dollars and laundered them through American and European banks.

Portillo initially denied the allegations but ultimately pled guilty, following an agreement with prosecutors. Portillo, who was president between 2000 and 2004, received bribes from Taiwan beginning in 1999, months before the beginning of his government, until 2002. The bribes aimed to maintain diplomatic relations between the two nations.

As part of the agreement, Portillo will have to pay back the $2.5 million in bribes he took and will serve jail time. EFE reported he will also pay a fine of $500,000.

According to Tico Times, Portillo was accused of embezzling more than $70 million worth of public funds, including $1.5 million earmarked for school children. Tico Times reports that this is the first time a former Latin American head of state has been extradited to the U.S.

Now that Portillo has been imprisoned, the Guatemalan government hopes to seize his bank accounts. According to the AFP, Guatemala has asked judicial authorities to freeze Portillo's accounts in France, Luxembourg and Switzerland, which are estimated to be around $4 million. The Guatemalan judge in charge of Portillo's case, Marco Antonio Villeda, argued that the accounts are in the name of the disgraced former president's ex-wife and daughter.

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