A capital typically clogged with traffic was thronged on Sunday by hundreds of thousands of people who marched into the main plaza to protest a government effort against Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that threatens to force him out of next year's presidential elections.
The police estimated that more than 1 million people participated in the march. Aides to the mayor estimated that there were 750,000 people. Several political observers described it as the biggest in the country's recent history.
After two weeks of heated political discourse and confusing legal maneuvers, the march was not the first to denounce the government's campaign against the mayor. But it was a dramatic illustration of seemingly growing support for Lopez Obrador and disappointment in President Vicente Fox.
PHOTO: AP
The demonstrators were of all ages and walks of life. Some came from the southernmost corners of Mexico. There were men in business suits and women in traditional Indian clothes. And while some said they had been long-time supporters of the mayor, others said that even though they were not likely to vote for him they thought the government's campaign against him was unfair.
Unlike most other demonstrations, there was no real disorder or rowdiness. And people covered their mouths with hospital masks and marched without chanting.
"Our silence says everything," read many of the banners that floated above the crowds. Others depicted Fox as a traitor.
Rocio Jimenez Gonzalez, a 26-year-old lawyer, wore a banner that urged Mexico to follow the example being set in Ecuador.
"They got rid of their president," she said.
"It's time for Mexico to do the same. I am here to defend the democracy of my country, or what little there is of it," she added. "We cannot allow a few people in power to control the will of the majority by decree."
Fox did not comment on the demonstration on Sunday. His government has been widely criticized after Congress voted April 7 to lift Lopez Obrador's immunity so that he could stand trail in a minor land dispute -- a proceeding that could force the mayor to surrender his political ambitions. Those charges have plunged Fox's party and his Cabinet into open conflict.
Meanwhile, Lopez Obrador has reveled in the moment. He announced he would return to work as normal on Monday. And while he urged the government to back away from its case against him, he also sent his opponents a message of conciliation.
"I hope our adversaries will rectify this situation," he said, "that they will back away from their animosity and disqualifications."
"We are never going to bet on destroying our adversaries," he said. "The task of transforming the country requires tolerance, agreement, and, above all, no wasting time on political vengeance."
EUROPEAN FUTURE? Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama says only he could secure EU membership, but challenges remain in dealing with corruption and a brain drain Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama seeks to win an unprecedented fourth term, pledging to finally take the country into the EU and turn it into a hot tourist destination with some help from the Trump family. The artist-turned-politician has been pitching Albania as a trendy coastal destination, which has helped to drive up tourism arrivals to a record 11 million last year. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, also joined in the rush, pledging to invest US$1.4 billion to turn a largely deserted island into a luxurious getaway. Rama is expected to win another term after yesterday’s vote. The vote would
FRAUD ALLEGED: The leader of an opposition alliance made allegations of electoral irregularities and called for a protest in Tirana as European leaders are to meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party scored a large victory in parliamentary elections, securing him his fourth term, official results showed late on Tuesday. The Socialist Party won 52.1 percent of the vote on Sunday compared with 34.2 percent for an alliance of opposition parties led by his main rival Sali Berisha, according to results released by the Albanian Central Election Commission. Diaspora votes have yet to be counted, but according to initial results, Rama was also leading there. According to projections, the Socialist Party could have more lawmakers than in 2021 elections. At the time, it won 74 seats in the
CANCER: Jose Mujica earned the moniker ‘world’s poorest president’ for giving away much of his salary and living a simple life on his farm, with his wife and dog Tributes poured in on Tuesday from across Latin America following the death of former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. He was 89. Mujica, who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity, lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi wrote on X. “Pepe, eternal,” a cyclist shouted out minutes later,
Myanmar’s junta chief met Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) for the first time since seizing power, state media reported yesterday, the highest-level meeting with a key ally for the internationally sanctioned military leader. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing led a military coup in 2021, overthrowing Myanmar’s brief experiment with democracy and plunging the nation into civil war. In the four years since, his armed forces have battled dozens of ethnic armed groups and rebel militias — some with close links to China — opposed to its rule. The conflict has seen Min Aung Hlaing draw condemnation from rights groups and pursued by the
RSS