Italian, Venezuelan lawmakers in shouting match at EU event

LISBON, Portugal – Two delegates from Italy and Venezuela got involved in a shouting match at a meeting in Portugal aimed at developing closer ties between lawmakers from the European Parliament and legislative bodies in Latin America.

Antonio Tajani, an Italian vice-president of the European Parliament, was critical in a speech at the event Tuesday of what he said were human rights violations in Venezuela.

Afterward, Venezuelan lawmaker Dario Vivas approached him in a corridor and shouted “You are a disgrace!” in front of astonished onlookers.

Tajani replied “You’re the one who’s a disgrace.” He then backed away through a door and told Vivas, “You’re a dictatorship!”

Vivas, following him, shouted “Show us the proof. We are a sovereign country!”