In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday, Mexico's senate debate on potential U.S. military intervention against drug cartels escalated into a physical altercation. The clash involved Alejandro Moreno, national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and Senator Gerardo Fernandez Norona.
The heated discussion centered on opposition calls for U.S. involvement in the long-running cartel war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in Mexico. Opposition lawmakers argue that external support could help stem cartel violence, but the government and ruling coalition have refused to greenlight any foreign troops on Mexican soil.
As tensions peaked, witnesses say Moreno and Norona exchanged shoves at the chamber podium, prompting security to intervene. The opposition faction quickly rejected allegations that they had sought U.S. military backing. Norona announced plans to file a formal complaint against Moreno for bodily harm and to petition for the revocation of his legislative immunity.
This rare outbreak of violence in a legislative session underscores the deep divisions over how to tackle cartel power and secure public safety. While some senators push for international collaboration, others warn that foreign intervention could trigger diplomatic friction and sovereignty concerns.
Looking ahead, the senate is expected to hold procedural votes on Norona’s complaint, while the broader debate on cartel security strategies remains a flashpoint in Mexican politics.
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Physical clash in Mexico senate over U.S. intervention against cartels
cgtn.com
