Fact Check: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner stated that she was the target of an attempted assassination on September 1, 2022, while serving as vice-president.

Fact Check: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's Assassination Attempt Claim

What We Know

On September 1, 2022, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the vice president of Argentina and former president, was indeed the target of an assassination attempt. A man, identified as Fernando André Sabag Montiel, approached her while she was signing copies of her book outside her residence in Recoleta, Buenos Aires, and attempted to shoot her with a semi-automatic pistol. Fortunately, the gun jammed, and no shots were fired, allowing Fernández de Kirchner to escape unharmed (Wikipedia, BBC). The assailant was arrested immediately after the incident (Wikipedia).

The weapon used in the attack was reported to be fully loaded with five cartridges, but it failed to fire when the trigger was pulled (BBC). This incident occurred amidst a backdrop of political tension, as Fernández de Kirchner was facing corruption charges, which had led to significant public protests both in support of and against her (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Cristina Fernández de Kirchner stated she was the target of an assassination attempt is robust. Multiple reputable news sources, including the BBC and Reuters, have reported on the incident, confirming that an assassination attempt occurred and that the vice president was indeed the target. The details surrounding the event, including the identity of the assailant and the circumstances of the attack, have been consistently reported across various media outlets, indicating a high level of reliability in the information.

Moreover, the Argentine government, including President Alberto Fernández, publicly condemned the attack, labeling it as one of the most serious threats to democracy in the country since its return to democratic governance in 1983 (BBC, NPR). This official acknowledgment further corroborates the claim that an assassination attempt took place.

While some conspiracy theories emerged questioning the authenticity of the event, these claims lack substantial evidence and are often rooted in political bias. For instance, some political figures suggested that the incident was staged, but such assertions have not been supported by credible evidence (Wikipedia).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's claim that she was the target of an attempted assassination on September 1, 2022, is accurate. The event was widely reported, confirmed by multiple reliable sources, and acknowledged by government officials. The details surrounding the incident, including the failed attempt and the subsequent arrest of the assailant, further substantiate the claim.

Sources

1. Attempted assassination of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
2. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner: Gun jams during bid to kill ... - BBC
3. Trial starts over the 2022 assassination attempt of Argentina's ...
4. Argentina shaken by assassination attempt on vice president
5. What we know about the failed attempt to assassinate Argentina's vice ...
6. Mexico denounces attack on Argentina VP, hails her " ...
7. Argentina's Vice President Unharmed After Assassination ...
8. Suspect in Argentine vice president assassination attempt arrested in ...