Cash Crisis Puzzles Guatemala
Guatemala is stranded in a cash crisis that impedes cashing checks, collect salaries or access cash dispensers.

The local press says the people are hungry, spending new years' eve amid shortage and distress.

"El Periodico" online edition says the Oscar Berger government is closing 2006 with devastating effects on the people due to negligence of the Central Bank of Guatemala (BCG).

However, BCG President Maria Antonieta del Cid de Bonilla, blamed the problem to government delays of bill purchases from January to September to meet Christmas' demands.

The paper calls the BCG "shameful to ask the hungry to stay calm."

The crisis affects the majority, including the middle class, rural workers impeded to collect their salaries, the informal sector impeded to sale and near one million families depending on remittances.