Javier Duarte, the fugitive former governor of Mexico's Veracruz state who is accused of running a corruption ring to pilfer from state coffers, was detained in Guatemala on Saturday.

A statement from Mexico's federal Attorney General's Office said Mr Duarte was detained in the municipality of Panajachel, in Solola department, in coordination with Guatemalan police and the local Interpol office.

It said he is wanted on suspicion of money laundering and organised crime, and prosecutors directed the foreign relations department to request Mr Duarte's extradition via its Guatemalan counterpart.

Mr Duarte was governor of Veracruz from 2010 until he left office in October last year, shortly before the scheduled end of his term. At the time he said he was doing so in order to face the allegations against him, which he denied.