Abogados de Inmigracion

The standoff has left Mexico the equivalent of one hanging chad away from a Latin American version of the disputed 2000 U.S. presidential election -- only with a greater potential for unrest among the country's poor masses, who already are receptive to the idea of fraudulent elections.

There had long been fears that a close election split could spark violent protests and plunge Mexico into a > destabilizing crisis. Those fears seemed to ease after early results showed Calderón clinging to a thin but seemingly stable lead. Now the edgy feel is back, even though López Obrador and his advisers have promised to act responsibly and work within established electoral procedures.