Weekly Report - 5 August 2003

As Lucio Gutiérrez attempts to tighten his grip on his coalition government, one of his key ministers resigns to protest Sociedad Patriótica's high-handedness. 

Just as President Gutiérrez was issuing orders barring all officials from criticising dollarisation and mandating that all official publications should bear his effigy, interior minister Mario Canessa announced his resignation. He cited personal reasons but let it be known that he objected to the President's party, Sociedad Patriótica (PSP), imposing their own choice, Fabián Villaroel, as his undersecretary. 

The post had been vacant since Virgilio Hernández, of Pachakutik, resigned three weeks ago, also protesting the PSP's overbearing manners. Canessa had wanted his replacement to come from Pachakutik.