A physical altercation erupted in Mexico's senate this week between two top politicians following a heated debate over potential US military intervention against drug cartels. Alejandro 'Alito' Moreno, leader of the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña, of the ruling Morena party, were seen shoving and grabbing each other after the national anthem on Wednesday.
In a livestreamed video, Moreno repeatedly demands to speak before grabbing Fernández Noroña, who attempts to pull away. The confrontation escalates as both lawmakers exchange shoves, with Moreno slapping Fernández Noroña on the neck and knocking an aide to the floor. Another lawmaker later takes a swing at the senate leader as he tries to leave the podium.
Fernández Noroña later told reporters that Moreno provoked him, touched him, and threatened him, saying, 'I'm going to beat the shit out of you, I'm going to kill you.' Moreno defended his actions on social media, stating he responded 'head-on, with character and without fear' to defend Mexico.
The scuffle followed accusations from the Morena party that the opposition PRI and PAN parties had called for US military intervention in Mexico, a claim both denied. The issue gained traction after a PAN senator said on Fox News that US help against cartels is 'absolutely welcome,' and following reports that Donald Trump authorised military force against drug cartels in Latin America.
Fernández Noroña announced plans to call an emergency session on Friday to propose expelling Moreno and three other PRI lawmakers. He also filed a criminal complaint against Moreno. In response, Moreno accused the governing party of altering the parliamentary agenda to silence the opposition.
