A physical confrontation erupted during a public session of Mexico’s Senate, capturing widespread attention. Video footage circulating on social media depicts Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña of the ruling Morena party and Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), exchanging shoves and punches amid heated tensions.

The incident occurred Wednesday as senators sang Mexico’s national anthem at the presiding area. Following the anthem, Moreno, known as “Alito,” attempted to address Noroña. When a woman tried to guide Noroña away, Moreno seized his arm, prompting Noroña to push back. Moreno then repeatedly shoved him and delivered a punch. A staffer intervening was also pushed, falling to the ground. As Noroña sought to exit the chamber, another legislator grabbed his collar and attempted to strike him before the confrontation concluded with Noroña leaving after further verbal and physical exchanges.

According to reports, the clash followed PRI members’ repeated requests for the floor during the session, which Noroña denied in his capacity as presiding officer. Moreno approached the podium after the anthem, initiating an argument that escalated into violence.

Moreno, 50, has led thePRI since 2019, a party that once dominated Mexican politics but now holds limited influence in Congress. Noroña, 65, is a leftist politician and leader of Morena, the populist movement founded by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He assumed his role as Senate president after Morena’s expanded majority in the 2024 elections and Sheinbaum’s presidential victory.