THIS is the horrific moment a politician was left seriously injured after an explosive device hit her in the head and detonated just inches from her face.
Gladys Aurora López, a congresswoman for the National Party, was addressing journalists in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, on Thursday when the attack unfolded without warning.
What started as a routine interaction with the media quickly descended into chaos.
Shocking footage shows Lopez calmly speaking to the media when, suddenly, a circular object is seen hurtling through the air toward her.
Seconds later, it hits the back of the head and explodes, generating an explosion of orange flames.
The explosion sends shockwaves through the crowd, causing panic as those nearby scramble to safety.
The brazen attack occurred at a time of extreme political tension, which unfolded in the context of a controversial vote recount.
The move was prompted by allegations of fraud following Nasry Asfura’s narrow presidential victory in November.
By some miracle, López survived the assassination attempt.
His condition remains stable, but not without serious consequences.
The legislator suffered multiple injuries, including burns, hearing damage and possible bone fractures.
Several people who were near her at the time were also injured, although their injuries were said to be minor.
As news of the explosion spread, condemnations came from across the political spectrum.
Leaders on both sides denounced the violence and warned that Honduras is teetering on a dangerous edge.
Congress President Luis Redondo quickly ordered an investigation, while President-elect Asfura urged calm before his inauguration.
Asfura said: “I just don’t want to think it’s for political reasons, but these are things that just can’t happen.”
In a statement after the attack, Redondo said: “I have immediately instructed the security personnel of the National Congress to review the internal security cameras, as well as the records of the 911 system, in order to identify the person responsible for throwing an explosive device from outside the National Congress (public road) and proceed in accordance with the law.”
“We strongly condemn the act of violence that occurred in the National Congress, which has put people’s safety at risk and has directly affected our fellow congresswoman Gladys Aurora López,” he added.
“No act of violence will be tolerated within the legislative building or against any member of the Legislative Branch.”
Tomás Zambrano, head of the parliamentary bloc of the National Party, described the terrifying moment when the device was launched.
“We were giving interviews to the media, accompanied by fellow deputies from the National Party to start the extraordinary session, and they threw bombs at us, with mortars,” he said.
Zambrano went further and accused the ruling party of fostering a climate of hostility and unrest.
“These acts of violence have been perpetrated against the opposition for four years.
“They cannot continue to abuse their power.”
He also called on the Armed Forces and the National Police to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to protect legislators and secure the National Congress.
Warning that Honduras is entering one of the most critical political periods in its modern history, Zambrano insisted that those responsible must be held accountable.
