Letter published by The New York Times

Mexico's Moment

Published: July 4, 2000

To the Editor:

Re ''Challenger Says He Sees Big Margin in Mexico Election'' (front page, July 3):

My father was 8 when the ruling party in Mexico, the PRI, took power. Today, my father is 79, and we got the PRI out of power. These 71 years of authoritarianism, corruption and cheating have come to an end, and it feels great.

The joy, happiness and relief most Mexicans feel right now is unbelievably real. It is the result of at least 30 years of fighting by millions of citizens who never lost hope that a day like this would come.

This is the most important moment in Mexico's modern history. It is also one of the most important days in the world's contemporary history as we end the oldest ''dictatorship'' on earth.

RAÚL GUTIÉRREZ Y MONTERO
Mexico City, July 3, 2000