Mexican Protesters End Week’s Barricade of Border Crossing

Mexicans protesting alleged fraud in national elections earlier this month ended a weeklong barricade of a border crossing here as a supporter proclaimed victory.

The protesters, who blocked all but emergency vehicles but allowed pedestrians through the crossing between Douglas and Agua Prieta in Sonora state, withdrew last Thursday night, according to a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

“Let us move on. . . . We haven’t lost. . . . We have laid naked the political system here, and (Mexican President) Miguel de la Madrid is the No. 1 criminal,” said Adalberto Rosas, a candidate of the opposition PAN, or National Action Party, who lost the gubernatorial election in Sonora.

About 1,500 PAN supporters then began a parade through downtown Agua Prieta with horns blaring. Before Rosas’ speech, PAN supporters conducted a mock burial of a coffin with “Democracy” inscribed on its side.

The 50 or so border protesters had said they were demonstrating against alleged election fraud by Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, which continued its dominance in the July 7 election.

Earlier last week, Douglas merchants said they wanted to begin a shuttle service on a rail line near the border crossing to try to bring back business they’ve been losing. However, Mexican customs officials turned down the request, according to John Meeks, president of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce.

Merchants surveyed by the chamber earlier last week reported business declines up to 35% since the protest started.

A similar protest at the crossing between Naco, Ariz., and Naco, Sonora, was broken up last week by about 25 people who scuffled with about the same number of demonstrators, U.S. and Mexican officials said.

U.S. officials said Wednesday that there has been a substantial increase in the number of vehicles crossing the border from Mexico at the Naco Port of Entry, about 20 miles west of Douglas.