Punches and slaps: Watch as Mexican Senate debate ends in brawl
A tense debate in the Mexican Senate descended into a brawl between two of the chamber's most senior politicians on Wednesday. Senator Alejandro Moreno, of the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), grabbed the president of the Senate, Gerardo Fernández Noroña, demanding to be allowed to speak. After some pushing and shoving, Moreno threw punches and a photographer who stepped in was injured. Temperatures had already been running high throughout the debate about the presence of armed forces from other countries on Mexican soil. But it was not until after the national anthem had been sung that Senator Moreno, angry at not having been allowed to speak during the debate, physically clashed with Fernández Noroña. The Senate leader said he would call an emergency session to propose expelling Mr Moreno and three other opposition lawmakers who joined in the fray.
The Impact of Foreign Troops on Mexican Soil
The debate addressed the controversial issue of sending foreign troops to Mexican soil. Analysts believe that Mexico's democracy is under strain as drug violence and cartel-related crimes continue to plague the country. Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador requested assistance from the United States, a move that is unprecedented in Mexico's history.
Politician's Reactions
Senator Moreno was angered by President Fernández Noroña's refusal to allow him to speak during the debate. The senator demanded his right to speak, leading to pushing and shoving, then punches thrown. A photographer who intervened was injured in the brawl.
senate Reaction
The president of the Senate, Fernández Noroña, declared that he would convene an emergency session to expel Senator Moreno and three other lawmakers who joined the fracas. This action is in line with the Senate's zero-tolerance policy on violence.
