By KELIN DILLON

Following the Monday, Jan. 31, historic digital vote for the leadership of the state-run Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) Oil Workers Union (STPRM), Ricardo Aldana, the STPRM treasurer both under controversial former inion leader Carlos Romero Deschamps and in the present day, won the election in a landslide, with 70 percent of the votes.

While there were 25 candidates in total for the election, Aldana managed to receive 44,983 votes of the total 63,700 votes cast; the runner-up, César Pecero, received 4,505 votes, or just 10 percent of Aldana’s turnout.

“Democracy won, now we have a general secretary,” said union spokesman Carlos Maldonado. “There is no doubt, he won with the vote of all the oil workers through a free, direct and secret vote.”

As the STPRM’s first leadership vote in its 86 years of existence, provisions were purportedly put in place to keep the elections fair and neutral. But considering Romero Deschamps’ influence still weighs heavy over Pemex years after his departure from the union, experts had warned that Aldana, who similarly was accused of embezzling millions of dollars alongside his former boss during the 2000’s “Pemexgate,” would be the overwhelming favorite to win the election due to his close association with Romero Deschamps.

Aldana is expected to assume leadership of the STPRM until Dec. 31, 2024, though his inauguration into the role may be delayed as the Federal Center for Conciliation and Labor Registration (CFCRL) works through the 87 complaints filed about irregularities during the electoral process.