Every time a recount is forced in an electoral district, Obrador’s share of the vote increases exponentially. It was originally announced that conservative candidate Felipe Calderón was ahead by 400,000 votes. However, after the votes at only 2,600 out of 130,000 polling stations (i.e. 2%) were recounted, Calderón’s lead had now dropped to 244,000 votes. This is just one of many such discrepancies and the people’s calls for a fair recount are growing by the day. (Also see: Mexico: Lopez Obrador challenges election results.)

The resolve of the rich to keep Obrador out of power is still strong, and the international capitalists have stepped up to defend their interests in Mexico. In addition to having the support of the global media monopolies, Calderón now has the vocal support of several bourgeois world leaders. US President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Canada’s own Stephan Harper, amongst others, have now all congratulated Calderón on his victory in an attempt to put international pressure on the ratification of the current results.

Canadians must not allow political maneuvering and lies to overrule the right of the Mexican people to choose their own government. The business elite are terrified that Obrador could become a Mexican Chávez, and are pulling out all the stops to ensure that he does not take office. It is important that the world leaders who are helping to lend weight to the fraudulent election results be countered in their own countries. Prime Minister Harper’s congratulatory message to Calderón is an attempt to solidify Calderón’s claims of victory and avoid a recount. We have prepared a protest letter to Prime Minister Harper calling on him to recant his support of Calderón and to recognize the blatant fraud in the Mexican election.

The following letter should be sent to the following addresses:

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office: pm@pm.gc.ca
  • The office of the Mexican ambassador to Canada: sdelvalle@embamexcan.com
  • The Mexican consulate in Toronto: cgmtoronto@consulmex.qc.ca

Please also send a copy of your letter to Fightback at fightback@marxist.ca.

Prime Minister Harper,

As you are certainly aware, the recent election in Mexico has sparked a crisis in that country. While the official results originally gave Felipe Calderón a 400,000 vote lead, after only 2% of ballots were recounted, this lead had dropped by over 150,000 votes. Such a large discrepancy between the initial count and a recount cannot be deemed irrelevant and it is clearly a democratic necessity that every vote be recounted under public scrutiny. A formal charge of electoral fraud has now been laid on the Mexican state, and hundreds of thousands of Mexican citizens have taken to the streets to demand a recount.

Unfortunately, your government does not seem to share this same outlook. Your message of congratulations to Mr. Calderon, in spite of the discrepancies in the vote count and the mass demonstrations against this fraud, is an obviously partisan gesture. By supporting Calderón’s legitimacy, you are effectively dismissing the discrepancies in the vote, ignoring the democratic process, and ignoring the will of the Mexican people. Such an action shows that your government is more concerned with having a business friendly leader in Mexico than ensuring that democracy and justice be done.

We are calling on you, Mr. Harper, to recant your message of congratulations and support a full recount before you decide who the victor is. It is the right of all people to be able to decide their own path and we demand that the Canadian government understand and respect that.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned