And poverty and high unemployment existed here well before Banzer stepped back into the presidential palace. Yet his firm decision to eradicate Bolivia's illegal coca growing has had a profound effect on the economy. His commitment to taking Bolivia out of the South American cocaine-circuit by 2002 has won him unwavering support from the U.S. government, which many say has buoyed him during the social conflicts that might have ousted lesser governments. Banzer's positive relationship with Washington has helped keep money rolling into Bolivia. Despite the aid, Bolivia remains an impoverished nation with only flickering hopes of ending the enduring cycles of social tensions.
Many people remain disillusioned and distrustful of the nation's democratic institutions.
The church, the media and even the military rank higher on confidence surveys than do the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government. This lack of faith in democracy has led many Bolivians to see no harm in urging Banzer to resign, since they feel he has done nothing for them while in office. He'd probably like for all of us to die of hunger.