Mexican Presidential Candidate Blames ‘Mafia’ For Loss

Former Mexican presidential candidate Manuel Lopez Obrador told his supporters last week that a “mafia” stole the presidency from him three years ago.

 MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Former Mexican presidential candidate Manuel Lopez Obrador told his supporters last week that a “mafia” stole the presidency from him three years ago.

“They themselves know that this movement is the only thing that can take them on, and that can stop them,” he said to the reportedly “10s of thousands” at Zolcalo square.

This “mafia,” the former mayor of Mexico City said, includes business interests.

Lopez Obrador is said to be gearing up to take on the conservative PAN party of President Felipe Calderon in 2012.

Lopez Obrador, however, insists that he is in fact the current president of Mexico.

He claims the title because a recount of the 2006 vote never took place, though authorities could have done one.

Calderon lost by 230,000 votes.

Lopez Obrador still operates a “shadow government complete with a Cabinet from his offices in Mexico City.

He has sought legitamacy from such international leaders as President Barack Obama.

However, his former political party, the Party of the Democratic Revolution, is no longer affiliated with him.