Foiled "assassination attempt" against Morales

Police arrested two men with a rifle in the province of Santa Cruz, who they say were planning to kill Bolivian president Evo Morales during his visit there. The men were arrested at the airport and, according to a government minister, there are "clear indications" of an assassination plan. The two men are said be members of the Unión Juvenil Cruceña, a vehemently anti-government group based in Santa Cruz.

It's the second reported alleged attempt against a Latin American president in as many weeks. On June 12 police in Ecuador arrested 4 suspects they say were plotting to kill president Rafael Correa, although Correa later suggested the whole thing may be a scam.

These are troubling reports which only add to the heightened tension in both countries as their respective governments make ham-fisted attempts t0 "refound" their nations.

Bolivia votes in a bizarre recall referendum on August 10 involving the president, the vice-president and the 9 provincial prefects. Morales may well win, but only with a small majority while several prefects could lose their job, meaning even more elections. The whole thing is only likely to add to the ongoing polarisation without resolving anything.

In a report released on Thursday, The International Crisis Groups suggests postponing the vote, which sounds sensible.