Bolivia's Morales claims his car was hit by gunfire in attempted assassination

Bolivia's former president Evo Morales said he survived an assasination attempt on Sunday after his vehicle was hit by gunfire. The incident reflects how political tensions have turned violent in the Andean nation between the former leader and his once ally President Luis Arce.

Former President Evo Morales of Bolivia claimed he survived an assassination attempt on Sunday after unidentified men opened fire on his car. He was not injured in the alleged attack that quickly became the latest flashpoint in a power struggle between the ex-leader and his successor, current President Luis Arce.

Morales, 65, blamed President Arce's government for the outburst of violence, saying it was part of a coordinated campaign by the Bolivian authorities to sideline him from politics.

Arce's government pointed its finger at Morales, claiming the leftist icon staged an attack on himself to boost his own political fortunes ahead of presidential elections next year.

Both sides rejected the claims against them.

The flurry of pointed accusations threatened to ignite Bolivia’s political tinderbox and plunge the cash-strapped Andean nation of 12 million further into turmoil.

The roadblocks and mass vigils have choked off major cities and disrupted food and fuel supplies, exacerbating the country's rolling economic crisis.

(AP)


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