Diario Libre points out that President Hipolito Mejia seems to be losing popularity among his closest aides. The newspaper points out that, contrary to what has been the custom during his presidency, only four key government officials attended his recent farewell ceremony at the San Isidro Air Base. Those present were Sergio Grullon, Mejia’s brother-in-law and Secretary of the Presidency; Finance Minister Rafael Calderon; and Armed Forces Minister Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez. This is in addition to Vice-President Milagros Ortiz Bosch, who for the 42nd time during the Mejia administration became acting-President of the country. Foreign Relations Minister Frank Guerrero Prats accompanied President Mejia on his trip abroad to Monterrey, where he participated in the Special Summit. The newspaper speculates that while his supporters Agriculture Minister Eligio Jaquez, Interior & Police Minister Pedro Franco Badia and Health Minister Jose Rodriguez Soldevila may have been busy with political affairs related to Mejia’s re-election, the truth is that it was one of the most – if not the most – solitary farewell ceremonies of Mejia’s presidency.