On Thursday night, a failed assassination attempt on Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina occurred when a man held a gun at her head and attempted to pull the trigger.
According to CCTV footage and the president's declaration, the gun did not discharge. Mrs. Kirchner was uninjured.
Fernando Andres Sabag Montiel, a 35-year-old Brazilian resident of Argentina, was arrested by federal police in connection with the attack, according to Buenos Aires police.
"Cristina is still alive because, for reasons that have not been established technically, the gun, which was loaded with five rounds, did not discharge," President Alberto Fernández stated in a speech to the country late Thursday night.
Mrs. Kirchner, a former Marxist president and Argentina's most prominent politician with three decades in the public eye, is on trial for corruption accusations and is a very divisive figure.
Since last week, her fans have gathered outside her home in Buenos Aires, occasionally clashing with the police.
Authorities and video evidence indicate that shortly after 9 p.m. on Thursday, when Mrs. Kirchner was exiting her vehicle outside her home, where a big crowd had gathered, a man immediately approached and brandished a revolver inches from her face.
According to authorities in Buenos Aires, five individuals pursued a man away from the scene after he allegedly attempted to murder Mrs. Kirchner. The federal police then seized Mr. Montiel and discovered a pistol near the crime scene, according to authorities in Buenos Aires.
Mr. Fernández proclaimed Friday a national holiday in order for Argentines to "fight life and democracy in solidarity with our vice president."
Members of Argentina's Congress announced the formation of an investigative commission.
Mrs. Kirchner, 69, served as president of Argentina from 2007 to 2015 and as first lady from 2003 to 2007 during her husband's presidency.
Their political influence in Argentina was so great that it gave rise to Kirchnerism, a left-wing movement that remains one of the country's most important political groups.
She returned to the Casa Rosada, Argentina's presidential offices, in 2019 after planning a political ticket in which she would run for vice president and Mr. Fernández would run for president.
Mr. Fernández is not anticipated to compete for re-election in 2019 due to his low approval ratings and Argentina's soaring inflation.
Despite being hated by the right in Argentina, Mrs. Kirchner is nonetheless adored by the majority of the people.
