Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was threatened by a man with a gun late Thursday, in what one government colleague described as an assassination attempt, but she was not harmed and no shots were fired.
The incident took place at the entrance of Fernandez de Kirchner’s Buenos Aires home, where hundreds of protesters have gathered in recent days to support the former president, who is in the midst of a corruption trial.
The economy minister, Sergio Massa, called the incident an “attempted assassination.”
“When hate and violence prevail over debate, societies are destroyed and situations like these arise: attempted assassination,” he said on Twitter.
The Clarin newspaper reported that the gun was loaded, citing official sources. TV PUBLICA/AFP via Getty ImagesA police spokesman told Reuters that an armed man had been arrested near the residence and “a weapon was found a few metres from the scene.” He said the man could be of Brazilian origin.
Television footage had shown that no shots were fired after the man pointed a gun at Fernandez in the middle of a crowd. Media noted that the man appeared middle-aged.
The Clarin newspaper reported that the gun was loaded, citing official sources. Reuters could not independently confirm this.
The incident took place at the entrance of Fernandez de Kirchner’s Buenos Aires home. TV PUBLICA ARGENTINA/via Reuters
The man accused of pointing a gun at the vice president has not yet been identified. TELAM/AFP via Getty ImagesGovernment and opposition leaders, as well as politicians from other Latin American countries, expressed solidarity with Fernandez de Kirchner, who has been a divisive political figure and served as president for two terms between 2007 and 2015.
Her successor, Mauricio Macri, said the incident required “immediate and profound clarification by justice system and security forces.”
“Cristina is the victim of a criminal fascist who does not know how to respect differences,” added Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the front-runner in next month’s presidential election. “Thank God she escaped unharmed.”
A police officer stands guard as a member of a forensic team works near the house of Argentina’s Vice-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner after she was attacked. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
Police officers stand guard near the house of Argentina’s Vice-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
Supporters gather in front of the house of Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner after she had a gun pointed at her head. REUTERSBut some politicians dismissed the severity of the incident: “This seems to be the clumsy action of an unbalanced person with no connection to politics,” said lawmaker Martin Tetaz.
Current President Alberto Fernandez is expected to address the country on television later Thursday.
