Thousands take to streets after failed assassination

Thousands of supporters of Argentina’s vice-president took to the streets of the capital Buenos Aires to denounce political violence, after she narrowly survived an assassination attempt.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner escaped unharmed on Thursday after a gunman’s weapon jammed as he aimed it directly at her face.

Footage captured the shocking moment which happened outside de Kirchner’s home in Buenos Aires.

Argentina’s President, Alberto Fernandez, declared Friday a national holiday to allow Argentinians time to “express themselves in defence of life, democracy and in solidarity with the vice-president”.

Thousands of flag waving supporters descended on the capital’s historic Plaza de Mayo, next to the presidential offices.

One, 58-year-old teacher Santiago Bianco, said: “Thank God and the Virgin that the bullet didn’t come out”.

An often divisive figure, de Kirchner was Argentina’s president from 2007 to 2015, and its first lady for four years before that.

She has been the vice president since 2019.