Mexico City mayor resumes duties
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-26 09:35

Presidential aspirant Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador resumed his Mexico City mayoral duties Monday despite warnings by federal authorities that the job no longer belongs to him.

Away from City Hall since Congress stripped his immunity from prosecution to face charges in an obscure land expropriation case, Lopez Obrador put on a conciliatory face at his daily news conference.

"I'm willing to have a dialogue. I'm willing to meet with people so there can be unity and conciliation for the benefit of Mexico," said Lopez Obrador, who leads public opinion polls in advance of the 2006 presidential elections.

Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (center right) embraces a supporter as he arrives at a news conference, April 25, 2005.[Reuters]

Federal authorities contend that Congress' vote on April 7 effectively separated Lopez Obrador from his job as mayor and had warned that returning could lead to further charges.

"The return of Mr. Lopez to the mayor's office ... is a provocation and a violation of the laws," said Ruben Aguilar, a spokesman for President Vicente Fox.

A legal representative for Lopez Obrador later said the mayor would not sign any official documents while the case against him is still pending, in order to avoid further charges, Mexican news media reported. He did plan to carry out other duties, such as representing the city at public events.

On his first day back Monday, the mayor opened a new bridge in the city, one of myriad construction projects he has initiated since he took office in 2000. Lopez Obrador has built his popularity in large part on such projects, as well as on a variety of social handout programs.

Mexican President Vicente Fox speaks at a conference on micro credits at the Mexican foreign ministry, April 25, 2005. Fox's spokesman today said impeached Mexico City mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is breaking the law by returning to his job this morning. [Reuters]

Federal prosecutors last week presented charges of abuse of authority against Lopez Obrador for allegedly ignoring a judge's order to stop building a hospital access road on private property.

But a Mexican judge sent the charges back, citing irregularities in the way authorities allowed bail to be posted by political rivals against the mayor's wishes. The Attorney General's office said it would refile the charges.

Meanwhile, Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez told a news conference Monday that he was meeting with foreign ambassadors to Mexico to underscore that the case against Lopez Obrador is legal, not political as many have claimed.

Lopez Obrador has claimed from the beginning that members of Fox's administration and other political rivals have promoted the charges to prevent the mayor from competing in next year's election. Fox and his Cabinet members repeatedly have denied the allegations.

On Sunday, thousands of Mexicans led a "silent" march through the capital to show support for Lopez Obrador.

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