 |
|
|
 Editorials | At Issue | August 2006 
Lopez Obrador Seeks World Support
 Jennifer Gonzalez - AFP
| | Camped out in the streets of the capital with his supporters, leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sought world support in his quest for a full recount of Mexico's July 2 presidential election. (AFP/Alfredo Estrella) |
Camped out in the streets of the capital with his supporters, leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sought world support in his quest for a full recount of Mexico's July 2 presidential election.
From his yellow tent pitched on Mexico's City downtown Zocalo square, the fiery politician wrote The New York Times, appealing to "the goodwill and support" of the international community to help him press for the recount.
He dismissed this week's new count of less than 10 percent of the ballots as insufficient, reiterating his demand for every one of the almost 42 million votes to be tallied again.
His supporters, camped out along an eight-kilometer (five-mile) stretch of Reforma Avenue and other major arteries, braved rain, insults and the stench of portable toilets to pursue their blockade of the city center they launched two weeks ago.
They expressed determination to stay put until their demand is met, echoing the outrage expressed by the leftist leader who claims massive fraud marked the outcome of the vote that gave a razor-thin victory to conservative Felipe Calderon, of the governing National Action Party (PAN.)
"Our conviction is strong, but the truth is we are tired and it's difficult to know where our next meal will come from," said Ana Maria Rodriguez, who is in her 50s.
Some of the protesters have set up large family tents, others have only thin mattresses and some sheets of plastic. Portable toilets have been set up for the campers, who have caused a massive disruption of business and traffic in the megalopolis.
Numerous businesses, including some top hotels and restaurants, as well as the US embassy and the foreign ministry buildings are directly affected by the blockade.
Business leaders estimate the losses caused by the protest at about 200 million dollars, and say as many as 50,000 people could lose their jobs.
But authorities have done nothing to dislodge the campers. The megalopolis is run by Lopez Obrador's Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD.)
Lopez Obrador, a former Mexico City mayor, compared the protest to the historic non-violent campaigns by Mahatma Gandhi in India and Martin Luther King in the United States.
Electoral officials on Wednesday launched the review of nine percent of votes from the July 2 election after the Federal Electoral Tribunal, the ultimate arbiter for electoral disputes, ruled out a full recount.
The new tally is due to be completed by Sunday, and the tribunal has until September 6 to announce the new president elect, who will take office on December 1.
But Lopez Obrador, who has a long history of leading protest actions, said he would only call off the blockades if there is a full recount.
"I believe that on election day there was direct manipulation of votes and tally sheets," he said in his letter to The New York Times.
"Without a crystal-clear recount, Mexico will have a president who lacks the moral authority to govern." |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us