(Thumbnail Image: Wikimedia Commons)

“In parts of Mexico, this is an act of defiance as well as democracy.  Elections taking place in 14 states, a campaign marred by violence and bloodshed.  Local and federal police out in force trying to deter the drug gangs and reassure voters a tactic that appeared to have worked, at least for some.” (BBC)

Both major political parties are claiming victory after Sunday’s state and local elections in Mexico.  Despite brutal violence, and the assassination of a gubernatorial candidate, voter turnout was better than analysts predicted.  The violence is a main topic of discussion in Mexico and many are unhappy with President Felipe Calderón’s current political strategy.  

We are monitoring reaction to the elections from the BBC, The Christian Science Monitor, Al Jazeera, France 24 and The Washington Post.

Voter turnout was especially bad in the violent city of Juarez where only 20 percent of people voted.  The Christian Science Monitor offers a perspective on why voter turnout was so low.

“A severed head is dumped near the house of a mayoral candidate. Voters wake up to four bodies found hanging from bridges. Candidates arrive to cast their ballots in bulletproof vests accompanied by security entourages... Welcome to Mexico's election.”

Al Jazeera explains how the violence forced Mr. Calderon to focus on fighting the drug cartels, hindering his promise to create jobs.

“But, just days after taking office Calderon’s top priority became fighting the drug cartels, an issue he never mentioned as a candidate but which has defined his term.  Today it is an issue for voters many of whom are demanding an end to the violence but they are also calling on whoever wins office to take actions that will restart the country's staggering economy.”

On France 24 one analyst compares Mexico to other countries with drug trafficking problems saying, the drug cartels can influence political elections.

“If you look at other countries with big drug trafficking problems like Colombia or Afghanistan is when the organized crime and problems that get involved with politics that you really have big problems developing, as wide as civil wars.   People are concerned that in Mexico if the drug gangs are threatening and allying with political parties that could really increase tensions here."

The ruling party for nearly 80 years, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, was defeated in two traditionally PRI states, Oaxaca and Sinaloa.  The Washington Post quotes the director at the Mexico Institute who says-  because of this democracy might actually be thriving in Mexico.

"Perhaps the greatest take-away from Sunday's elections is that democracy is surprisingly healthy in Mexico, perhaps more so than many analysts recognize."

So what do you think?  Were the elections more positive than negative? Or did the drug violence kill the democratic process in Mexico?