(Washington Insider Magazine)-BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Transatlantic Today) — Outside Vice President Cristina Fernández’s residence, a man made an attempt on her life, but the gun misfired, according to the president of Argentina.
According to authorities, the individual was immediately subdued by her security personnel in the incident on Thursday night.
The gun did not fire when the man attempted to shoot it, according to President Alberto Fernández, a former president who is unrelated to the vice president.
The vice president didn’t appear to be hurt, and the attacker, who was surrounded by her supporters, was quickly overpowered, according to ABC NEWS.
The attempted assassination was condemned by President Fernández, who termed it “the most serious incident since we recovered democracy” in 1983 following a military dictatorship.
The vice president was attacked while she was being tried for alleged corruption from her time as president from 2007 to 2015. She firmly rejects the allegations, which has prompted her fans to round her residence in the affluent Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Fernández was seen exiting her vehicle while surrounded by fans in a video that was shown on local media networks, when a man is seen reaching out with what seems to be a pistol. The alleged gunman’s surroundings seem to be in disbelief as the vice president ducks.
Unverified video that has been shared on social media reveals Fernández’s face being practically touched by the gun.
Fernando André Sabag Montiel, a Brazilian citizen, was identified as the suspected shooter, according to a Security Ministry official who spoke on the record. The official stated that he does not have any criminal background. Adding that the gun was a .32 caliber Bersa.
Since last week, when prosecution demanded a 12-year sentence and a lifetime ban on holding public office for Fernández in the corruption case, followers of the vice president have gathered in the streets near her house.
Government representatives quickly condemned what they dubbed an assassination attempt following the occurrence.
In a press release, cabinet members strongly denounced the vice president’s attempted murder.
Since the weekend, when the vice president’s followers and police clashed in the streets outside her residence as authorities tried to evacuate the area, tensions have been rising in the Recoleta neighborhood. After the altercations, there were fewer police officers in the area of the vice president’s apartment than there had previously been.
Every day at approximately noon, Fernández leaves her residence and meets fans and signs autographs before stepping in her car to travel to the Senate. Every evening, she goes through the same routine.
Following the event, the vice president’s supporters swiftly accused the opposition of spewing hate speech and encouraging violence. Several senior officials have said recently that opposition figures were hoping for a casualty.
