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!"