A 35-year-old Brazilian man, Fernando Andres Sabag Montiel, was taken into custody, in accordance to Argentina’s safety minister. In a video of the incident posted on social media by a TV station, a click on is heard because the firearm is brandished simply inches from the vp’s face.
“We are facing an event that has an extreme institutional and human seriousness. Our vice president has been attacked,” Fernández mentioned in a midnight nationwide handle.
Kirchner, a left-wing populist, was Argentina’s president from 2007 to 2015 and first girl from 2003 to 2007. The incident occurred close to her residence, the place dozens had gathered to present their assist for the vp, who is dealing with trial on corruption costs.
“This was an assassination attempt,” Kirchner’s lawyer, Gregorio Dalbón, wrote on Twitter, urging the Argentine justice system to reply swiftly. “Hate and violence end badly.”
“This grave incident demands immediate and profound clarification by the justice system and security forces,” tweeted Mauricio Macri, a right-wing former president, after the tried taking pictures.
It just isn’t instantly clear if Sabag Montiel, the man taken into custody, had authorized illustration.
Argentina’s legislature, which is managed by allies of Kirchner, plans to create a particular committee to examine the incident.
Kirchner, a divisive determine in Argentina’s political scene, faces up to 12 years in jail for her alleged involvement in a corruption scheme involving public contracts. She has denied involvement and referred to as the trial an occasion of “political persecution.”
Axel Kicillof, a Kirchner ally and governor of Buenos Aires province, wrote on Twitter that the tried assault was “one of the worst episodes in our history.”
“Those who insist on persecuting, inciting violence, and even calling for the death penalty must stop now. You cannot continue to promote hatred and violence,” he wrote.
“All my solidarity to my friend Cristina Kirchner, a victim of a fascist criminal who did not know how to respect differences and diversity,” tweeted Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose time period as Brazilian president overlapped with Kirchner’s stint as Argentina’s high chief. “Cristina is a woman who deserves the respect of any democrat in the world. Thank God she escaped unharmed.”
Relations between Brazil and Argentina have chilled throughout Fernández’s presidency. Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has referred to as Kirchner and Fernández “leftist bandits,” and his son, Eduardo, has echoed calls by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R- Tex.) to impose sanctions towards Kirchner for alleged corruption. Da Silva is running against Bolsonaro on this 12 months’s presidential election.
There isn’t any fast proof that the tried taking pictures was politically motivated. Fernández, the president, requested the decide investigating the case to guarantee the protection of the alleged attacker whereas in custody.
Argentina is dealing with one of many world’s most extreme inflation crises, with rates of interest of round 70 p.c. The nation has cycled by means of three economic system ministers since July.
A rift on how to cope with the financial disaster has divided Kirchner and the president. Kirchner has championed a common fundamental revenue, whereas Fernández has appointed financial policymakers who lean towards austerity.
Kirchner’s late husband and presidential predecessor, Nestor Kirchner, helped navigate Argentina out of financial collapse. Together they built an economic movement outlined by heavy-handed financial intervention and progress, however her legacy was marred by accusations of graft.