Despite an offer from President Carlos Mesa to resign, protests have continued in La Paz, Bolivia as thousands of demonstrators remained in the streets.

For weeks, protesters have cut off the roads to and from La Paz which is now effectively isolated from the rest of the nation. In fact, fuel is no longer for sale in Bolivia's capital city.

The demonstrators are calling for the nationalization of the nation's energy and for reforms to the country's constitution.

To the protesters, the resignation of Mesa is not enough. They are now demanding early elections. Mesa, however, refused to hold elections before they are scheduled.

'This is as far as I can go,' Mesa said when he announced his offer to resign.

If Mesa were to resign, Hormando Vaca Diez, the president of the nation's congress, would take over as president. Mr. Vaca Diez is even less popular with the groups protesting in La Paz than Mr. Mesa is.

Under Bolivian law, Congress must meet to decide whether or not to accept the president's offer to resign. Mesa offered to step down in March but Congress refused to accept the resignation.

Residents of La Paz are suffering as a result of the city's isolation from the rest of the nation. Without fuel, for example, garbage collection is almost nonexistent. The price of meat has also tripled since the city was closed off as supplies dwindle.

There is no immediate end in sight to the demonstrations. Congress will not meet to consider Mesa's offer to resign for a few more days.