Argentinian Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner survived an assassination attempt Thursday night, according to a statement by Argentina’s President, after a man pointed a gun at her head but it failed to go off. 

President Alberto Fernández addressed the nation late Thursday and said that “Cristina is still alive because, for reasons that have not been confirmed technically, the weapon, which was loaded with five bullets, did not fire,” adding that “This is the most serious event since we recovered our democracy.”

Fernando Andres Sabag Montiel, 35, a Brazilian man living in Argentina, was arrested by the federal police in connection with the assassination attempt, Buenos Aires police reported.

Kirchner was a former president and a prominent leader in Argentina who served in the public sector for three decades. The former president and current Vice president has been taken to court for alleged corruption charges that had not been proven. However, it appears her leftist stance and policies have been enough of an accusation for various media outlets to sentence her already. 

El video del arma contra @CFKArgentina pic.twitter.com/8j1xpMnPoe

— Lautaro Maislin (@LautaroMaislin) September 2, 2022

Kirchner’s supporters have gathered outside her Buenos Aires home since last week, occasionally clashing with the police.

According to camera evidence and investigators, just after 9 pm, as Kirchner exited her vehicle into a big gathering outside her home, a guy approached and brandished a revolver inches from her face. A clicking sound heard on CCTV footage indicates that the guy then attempted to pull the trigger. Mrs. Kirchner ducked, and the guy was dragged away.

According to Buenos Aires police, five individuals pursued a guy away from the scene and said he tried to assassinate Kirchner. The federal police subsequently seized Montiel and discovered a handgun near the scene.

In response to the failed assassination attempt

President Fernández subsequently declared Friday a national holiday across Argentina in order for the nation to “defend life and democracy in solidarity with our vice president,” adding that “The outcry, horror, and repudiation that this event generates in us should become a permanent commitment to eradicate hate and violence from our democratic lives.”

Fernandez also requested that the country's judiciary conduct an investigation into the attack on Kirchner as soon as feasible.

"I talked to the judge who is investigating the incident. I asked her to uncover facts and responsibility [for the incident] as soon as possible," and highlighted that the safety and security of the perpetrator must also be ensured.

Additionally, Argentina's Congress announced the formation of a committee to examine the murder attempt.

Kirchner, 69, served as president of Argentina from 2007 to 2015 and as the first lady from 2003 to 2007 during the presidency of her husband, Néstor Kirchner. Their political influence was so great in Argentina that it gave birth to Kirchnerism, a left-wing movement that is now one of the country's most significant political forces.

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