TheCable

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been elected president of Mexico.

Obrador received over 53 percent of the vote, more than double the total of his closest rival, according to the country’s electoral commission.

“Today, they have recognised our victory,” Obrador said after he emerged the winner.

Conservative-centrist Ricardo Anaya received 22.8 percent while Jose Meade from the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) had 16.3 percent.

Within two hours of polls closing, three of his main rivals had conceded defeat.

The result makes Obrador Mexico’s first presidential candidate to receive more than 50 percent of the vote since the PRI lost its dominant position.

Speaking to reporters after his win, Obrador identified corruption as the “principal cause” of inequality and the criminal violence that has affected Mexico for years.

The president-elect said he will spare no one in his commitment to root it out.

“Whoever it is will be punished, I include comrades, officials, friends and family members. A good judge begins at home,” he said.

Obrado, 64, said he would forge a new relationship with the US which will be “rooted in mutual respect and in defence of our migrant countrymen who work and live honestly in that country”.

He said he will seek “a relationship of friendship and cooperation” with the US, but one based on “mutual respect”.

“The revolution of consciences has triumphed. I shall not let you down. You shall not be disappointed,” he said.

Obrador, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2006 and 2012, will take over power on December 1.