Weekly Report - 20 April 2004

Ecuador's President Lucio Gutiérrez is fighting for his survival. Ranged against him are his old allies of the indigenous movement plus most left-of-centre parties and the `social organisations.' His only apparent lifeline is the rightwing Partido Social Cristiano (PSC), but its leaders are unwilling to commit themselves wholly if there is a chance that investigations under way reveal misdeeds of impeachment proportions. Even the military, greatly favoured by Gutiérrez, have become cagey when expressing their support.