Thousands rally after attack on Argentina's VP

Messages of solidarity came from across the world and thousands showed up in solidarity in Buenos Aires after a man tried to shoot Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. 

President Alberto Fernandez declared a public holiday on Friday and said the attack was the worst since the country returned to democracy in 1983 after a military dictatorship.  

"Cristina remains alive because, for a reason that has not yet been technically confirmed, the gun which contained five bullets did not fire despite the trigger having been pulled," the president said.

A man attempted to shoot Fernandez de Kirchner, 69, with a loaded pistol from point-blank range outside her house where many of her supporters were present, but the firearm failed to discharge. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause for the attack on the vice president, who also led the country from 2007 to 2015. 

A senator close to Fernandez de Kirchner told local radio that the vice president was in shock, but physically unharmed.  

Videos and photos of the attack have gone viral across the country, showing a gun being pushed toward the vice president's head before she crouched down and covered her face with her hands. Supporters then took the man away. 

Police have arrested a 35-year-old Brazilian man who local media reported had been working as a driver and had rented apartments in the capital. About 100 bullets were recovered when police raided the property, said La Nacion newspaper. 

The suspect had previously been arrested for illegal weapons possession, according to police sources quoted by the Telam news agency. Images from his social networks showed the man with a Nazi tattoo. 

International support pours in 

"For us, the possibility that something like that could happen to Cristina is unthinkable. We were saved last night from something terrible that we can't even comprehend," said Claudia, 37, who declined to provide her surname to the AFP news agency.  

World leaders have condemned the attack on the South American leader. Pope Francis, himself a former archbishop of Buenos Aires, sent Fernandez de Kirchner a telegram expressing "solidarity," according to the Vatican. 

UN chief Antonio Guterres was "shocked" by the events and "condemns this violence," a spokeswoman said. 

Fernandez de Kirchner, a divisive political figure, is facing corruption charges linked to an alleged scheme to divert public funds while president between 2007 and 2015.  

She has denied wrongdoing. Her supporters have rallied outside her residence in support for days, calling the case against her a witch hunt. Argentina is also experiencing a severe economic slump and high inflation.

tg/sms  (AFP, Reuters)