A congressional commission in Guatemala is urging the full congress to lift President Otto Perez Molina's immunity from prosecution in a corruption case.
Saturday's vote by the five-person committee came after the president failed to appear in person, as summoned.
The process against Perez Molina is akin to impeachment and could lead to criminal charges in connection with a customs fraud scheme.
Former Vice President Roxana Baldetti was ordered jailed on Wednesday on charges she took $3.7 million in bribes to let business people evade import duties.
The president's four-year term ends on Jan. 14, 2016, and elections will be held in early September to pick his successor.