By Elliott Gotkine BBC correspondent in Lima

Toledo faces some tough political choices

Although it is normal for Peru's cabinet to resign at once, it doesn't usually do so until the end of July.

It is believed last week's rejection of Mr Toledo's new tax plans may have prompted his ministers to tender their resignations early.

Just a week after his popularity rating reached an all-time low of 11%, Peru's president is now facing his third cabinet reshuffle in almost two years.

Mr Toledo said his government had reached a turning point and that he would seek to capitalise on its strengths and learn from its weaknesses.

This turning point includes a debilitating month-long teachers' strike, a state of emergency and the kidnap of 71 people by Maoist Shining Path guerrillas.

The president even bungled the safe release of the hostages by first claiming they had been freed, and then having to admit the guerrillas had simply let them go.

Presidential problem?

It is blunders like these which have prompted Mr Toledo's many critics to suggest that a cabinet reshuffle won't solve a thing.

They say it is not the government that is the problem, but the president himself.

Yet just a month short of his second anniversary in office, President Toledo, despite his unpopularity, appears to have no intention of stepping down.

And for all their criticisms, few, if any, of his opponents appear keen to take on the poisoned chalice that is Peru's presidency.