Given the state to which Mr Mugabe has reduced the country, a palace coup is possible.

ECONOMIST: The mess one man makes

Morgan Stanley's reputation among blue-chip companies has remained strong, despite its near-death experience and earlier turmoil, such as the controversial merger with Dean Witter in 1997 and subsequent palace coup in 2005.

ECONOMIST: Morgan Stanley

In December 2011, after the remains of President Allende were exhumed, it was confirmed that he committed suicide, and was not killed by soldiers who stormed the presidential palace during the coup, as some had argued.

BBC: Chile judge orders exhumation of Pablo Neruda's remains

In 1992, the Venezuelan government quashed a coup attempt by rebel soldiers in which up to 50 people were killed, hundreds wounded and the presidential palace bombed.

CNN: Thursday,