mexicoelex.html

PAN-demonium!

Panista faithful celebrate the victory Mexico City of presidential candidate Vicente Fox Quesada in Mexico's historic election on July 2. Photo made with Nikon D1, 17-35mm f2.8, manual focus, ISO 200, f2.8 @ 1/4, TTL flash.

For Mexicans, a long awaited changing of the guard

Democracy finally proved to be a truth, rather than a myth, in Mexico on Sunday, July 2, when Vicente Fox Quesada was elected as the country's next president.

Fox, the National Action Party (PAN) candidate, received a clear mandate for change from voters, many of whom were weary of the Revolutionary Institutional Party (PRI), which had ruled for generations with an iron fist amid well-known corruption.

Many believe that the PRI, the ruling political party for 71 years, would have lost the 1988 presidential election, but resorted to voter fraud to claim victory. With many respected official and unofficial observers in the country, this year's election was said to be the cleanest that Mexico had ever seen.

Election results streamed in as evening approached, and Panista faithful gathered to celebrate in Mexico City. President-elect Fox spoke of forming alliances and including women and people of different ideologies in his government.

The events were amazing to cover as a journalist, and I too was carried away by the joyful hysteria. For me, this was a continuation of my fascination and ongoing coverage of Mexico's evolving political process. As an intern at the El Paso Herald-Post, I watched the tainted gubernatorial election in the northern state of Chihuahua in 1986, where corrupt PRI officials bought votes and stuffed ballot boxes. Now, as a photographer for the San Antonio Express-News, witnessing this historic election in which the will of the Mexican people was honored fills me with hope.

Above right, president-elect Vicente Fox greets supporters in Mexico City. Photo made with Nikon D1, 80-200mm f2.8, autofocus, 1600 ISO, f2.8 @ 1/60.

A disappointed PRI supporter ponders the historic loss. A Panista celebrates Fox's "cowboy" image.

From left, brothers Adrian and Cesar Gutierrez, along with their friend, Jorge Daniel, collapse on the street in downtown Mexico City during a night of celebrating the victory of their candidate, Vicente Fox Quesada, on July 2.

Photos by Billy Calzada
http://www.billycalzada.com

To next photo feature, "Artists"


A disappointed PRI supporter ponders the historic loss.	A Panista celebrates Fox's "cowboy" image.