Twenty MPs fought with punches, kicks and slaps during a session of the Bolivian parliament devoted to the fate of opponent Luis Fernando Camacho, who has been jailed since December, on Tuesday.
Parliament heard Interior Secretary Eduardo del Castillo arrive to present a report on the detention of Mr Camacho, who was accused of “terrorism” over an alleged “coup” in 2019 against then-left President Evo Morales.
During his speech, Mr del Castillo described the elected members of Creemos, Mr Camacho’s right-wing party, as “groups of radicals, thieves and violent people who have come to steal the portfolio of the Bolivian people”.
A group of opposition MPs responded by holding up signs with messages such as “There is no democracy when there are political prisoners” and a photo of Mr. del Castillo with the phrase “Minister of Terror” crossed out.
Several MPs from the majority of the left then rushed towards them and tried to snatch their banners from them, according to images shared on social networks.
The onslaught lasted several minutes, during which deputies extensively beat and pulled each other’s hair, alternating punches and screams.
After the session was adjourned, calm returned and Speaker David Choquehuanca said he would summon both political camps for a briefing.