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Bolivian President Resigns
Bolivian President Hugo Banzer resigned from office Monday, saying his battle with cancer makes it impossible for him to govern South America's poorest nation.
The 75-year-old Banzer handed the presidential medallion and sash to Vice President Jorge Quiroga, who has been filling in for him since he left Bolivia last month for treatment in Washington, D.C.
Under Bolivian law, he technically remains president until Quiroga is sworn in Tuesday. The former dictator's resignation comes a year before the end of his five-year term.
Banzer, who is fighting cancer that has spread from his lungs to his liver, was to return to the United States on Wednesday for more chemotherapy.
On Monday, the retired general appeared frail, and before his speech, a clear plastic tube was attached to his nose to supply him with oxygen.
Quiroga, 41, will hold the office of president for one year until next summer's presidential election. He is barred by term limits from running in those elections.
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