US allies in Latin America say the continuing crisis at the World Bank will benefit Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s president, and the leaders of other radical governments, further weakening Washington’s influence in the region.

Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, leader of the centre-right opposition in Bolivia and a former president, said the crisis “could not have happened at a worse time. It gives material to Mr Chávez and his supporters to mock the World Bank and the IMF, and they have a real alternative to offer”.