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Man detained after pointing gun at Argentina's vice president
An unidentified man has been arrested after pointing a gun at Argentina’s Vice President and former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner late Thursday (September 1), according to a video from the scene broadcast on local television.
The footage shows Kirchner entering her Buenos Aires home while greeting supporters when a man can be seen pointing a gun at her face. As soon as Kirchner saw the gun, she ducked.
In the video, it appears that the man pulled the trigger inches from her head but the gun failed to discharge, making a “clicking” noise. Local media said she is unharmed and is now at home.
Argentine government officials are already talking about an assassination attempt.
Police said the gunman, who local media identified as a 35-year-old Brazilian man, has been taken into custody. They are attempting to establish a motive for the attack.
El video del arma contra @CFKArgentina pic.twitter.com/8j1xpMnPoe
— Lautaro Maislin (@LautaroMaislin) September 2, 2022
President Alberto Fernandez said the gun was loaded with five bullets but failed to fire when triggered.
Addressing the nation late on Thursday night, Mr Fernandez said: "Cristina remains alive because, for a reason not yet technically confirmed, the gun, which contained five bullets, did not fire."
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He went on to condemn the attacker and said the attempt on Ms de Kirchner's life was one of the "most serious" incidents since the country returned to democracy in 1983.
"We can disagree, we can have deep disagreements, but hate speech cannot take place because it breeds violence and there is no chance of violence coexisting with democracy," Mr Fernandez said.
He also declared a national holiday on Friday to allow Argentines time to "express themselves in defence of life, democracy and in solidarity with our vice president".
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For the past week, hundreds of people have gathered at Kirchner's house in a show of support since she was accused by federal prosecutor Diego Luciani of fraudulently awarding public work contracts during her two terms as president between 2007 and 2015.
Some of the region's leaders, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Bolivian President Luis Arce, have expressed their support for the vice president.
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