Dublin - Mexico's National Action Party (PAN) yesterday claimed a historic victory in Sunday's gubernatorial elections in Yucatan State, defeating a conservative elite which ruled for two decades, writes Michael McCaughan.
"Today we can say we were victorious. Change has come to the Yucatan," PAN candidate Patricio Patron told a news conference. Exit polls showed a clear victory for Mr Patron over the Institutional Revolutionary Party, a further blow to a party still recovering from its first presidential defeat in 71 years, and a fresh sign that political change is trickling south.
President Vicente Fox called to congratulate Mr Patron on his victory, which consolidates PAN's growing influence in poor, rural Mexican states.