Mexican wants probe of alleged Venezuelan aid to leftist

MEXICO CITY
The presidential candidate of Mexi-co’s governing conservative PAN party said Friday that he wants an investigation into the possible provision of aid to the leftist front-runner by the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Felipe Calderón told supporters at a rally in the central state of Morelos that in recent days “evidence has emerged” of Venezuela’s support for the creation at Mexican public universities of cells backing the candidacy of former Mexico City Mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

“This should be investigated and the full weight of the law should be brought to bear to prevent Hugo Chávez from actively interfering (and attempting to sway the outcome of the vote) in Mexico,” Calderón said.

Mexico will hold elections July 2 to choose a successor to President Vicente Fox – who is limited to a single six-year term – and fill 628 seats in Congress.