Indeed, the popular rising that inadvertently swept Mr Mesa to power last October was led by radicals who wanted to renationalise the oil and gas industries.

ECONOMIST: Bolivia's energy referendum

Street power used to work only against Mr Mesa.

ECONOMIST: Turmoil in Bolivia

Given these conditions, Mr Mesa has not done too badly on keeping four promises that he made when he came to power.

ECONOMIST: Bolivia's president performs a tricky balancing act