Political divisions run deep

WHEN WILL THE PRI mature? The announcement Wednesday that Roberto Madrazo would be the presidential candidate of Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party in 2006 was accompanied by talk of a purge of party dissidents. Mexico City’s El Universal moans in a Thursday editorial that these squabbles “only show that the disagreements among party comrades are more important than a solid national project.” The editorial adds: “For the sake of democracy in the country, it’s important that all political parties arrive consolidated and strong at the ballot box.”

Speaking of feuds, El Comercio of Lima, Peru, on Thursday weighed in on the spat between Mexican President Vicente Fox and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The ill will began at the Summit of the Americas with their disagreement over the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and it led both nations to recall their ambassadors -- and to Chavez calling Fox a “puppy of the American empire.” El Comercio sides with Fox: “Mexico has reacted well in demonstrating firmly that the aggressive chicanery of Chavez will not be tolerated in continental forums.”

Meanwhile, Madrid’s El Pais had its eye on Washington on Thursday, noting “the growing unrest in the governing party with the black hole that the occupation of the Arab country has become.... Republicans and Democrats, despite their political distance, are beginning to find a common ground uncomfortable for Bush -- at the lowest moment of his public acceptance.”

Ted B. Kissell