Assassination attempt made on Argentina Vice President, Cristina Kirchner

An assassination attempt has been made on the life the former President of Argentina, with cameras capturing the moment a man attempted to pull a gun on her.

A gunman has reportedly been detained after an assassination attempt was made on Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Kirchner, 69, local media reports.

Ms Kirchner, who is also the country’s former president, was leaving her home in Buenos Aires when a gunman approached the VP.

Footage from the event shows a man approach Ms Kirchner before pulling out a gun and aiming at her point blank. However he is pulled to the ground before he was able to fire a shot. While he attempts to fire the gun, no bullet is produced.

According to Argentina’s Minister of Defence Aníbal Fernández, a 35-year-old Brazilian man was arrested while holding a pistol. The man previously faced charges for carrying an knife, which he claimed was for his “personal defence,” local publication El Clarin reports.

A man approached Cristina Kirchner while holding a pistol. Picture: Twitter @firamnews

However he was unable to fire the gun. Picture: Twitter @firamnews

Ms Kirchner is currently facing corruption charges for defrauding the state in a scheme that accused her of diverting public funds between 2007 and 2015. At the time she was president of Argentina.

Federal court prosecutors allege the left-wing politician awarded public works contracts to family friend and business man Lazaro Baez.

If found guilty Ms Kirchner could face 12 years imprisonment and be thrown from public office.

In 2020, Baez was convicted of a $US60 million ($A88.27 million) money laundering plot and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Ms Kirchner’s trial has focused on the 51 contracts which were awarded to Baez in that 12-year period. The prosecution claims they were given to him at elevated prices or with other special considerations. They also state that only 27 of the 51 contracts were completed.

Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner addresses supporters during a demonstration near her home.. Picture: Luis Robayo/ AFP

However Ms Kirchner has consistently denied these charges. She’s argued that the public works contracts would have had to been approved by Congress, which means they would have also been complicit with the corruption charges.

“I’ve said this before. They aren’t coming for me. They’re coming for all of you,” told her supporters in a 90-minute address.

“For the salaries, for workers’ rights, for retirees, for our indebtedness – that’s what they’re after.”

Since the accusations were made, throngs of supporters have gathered outside her home in protest. On Saturday her supporters clashed with police, with authorities responding with water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowds.