President Mesa Offers his Resignation

Last night President Carlos Mesa announced that he is submitting his resignation to Congress. No question, this is the most serious development in Bolivia since Goni´s resignation in October 2003.

First question, is Mesa leaving or is this a political ploy (a reasonable one) to call all sectors of Bolivian politics toward compromise? Rallies in support of Mesa have broken out in various cities throughout the country. Mesa does have a good deal of support, whgich has been largely silent during the past few months.

Second question, if Mesa does leave, what next? The answer to that one is not good. His constitutional successor is the President of the Senate, Vaca Diez, who has been quoted in the press in Bolivia for weeks calling on Mesa ¨to govern¨, shorthand for repression.

I like Carlos Mesa. I may not agree with him on everything but he is as honest a leader as Bolivia can hope for right now.

More later today as the story develops.