“Senate Erupts into Violence: Mexican Lawmakers Exchange Blows Over Foreign Military Debate Video

A violent altercation broke out in the Mexican Senate on Wednesday, August 27, between the chamber’s president and an opposition leader, involving punches, shoving, and shouting.

The clash escalated when opposition party leader Alejandro “Alito” Moreno, head of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), approached Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña of the ruling Morena party as lawmakers were singing the national anthem to close the day’s session. Moreno grabbed Fernández Noroña’s arm, repeatedly insisting, “I’m asking you to let me speak,” while Fernández Noroña responded, “Don’t touch me.”

The confrontation followed a tense debate over the potential involvement of foreign armed forces in Mexico. The situation quickly deteriorated into pushing and shoving, with Moreno even knocking over a photographer. Another lawmaker joined the fray, swinging at Fernández Noroña as he tried to step away. Fernández Noroña later recounted that Moreno threatened him verbally, saying, “I’m going to beat the shit out of you, I’m going to kill you.”

In response, Fernández Noroña announced plans to convene an emergency session on Friday to propose the expulsion of Moreno and three other PRI lawmakers involved in the incident.