LOS ANGELES -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson officially announced his candidacy for the White House in Los Angeles on Monday, and in doing so beacme the first Latino in the Democratic Party to run for president of the United States.

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At times speaking in Spanish and taking questions from Spanish-speaking reporters, Richardson said he has a proven track record of successful diplomacy abroad and working for the middle class at home.

"The United States faces huge challenges, but also huge opportunities. I am running for president because these times call for a leader with a proven track record, and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to tackle our problems at home and abroad," Richardson said. "I am that person, not because I say so, but because of what I have done, and what I can do for the American people."

"The challenges we face are not acts of God or accidents of fate," Richardson said. "They're man-made and they're deliberate. Whether it will be willful ignorance or an ignorant will, we are left with the ravages of an administration that will take years to rectify. But we can do it."

Iraq

"Some will tell you that we only have two options. Either stay in Iraq and try to referee a civil war or leave and collapse into chaos," Richardson said, adding, "I've spent a lot of time in this part of the world and let me you tell this: That is a false choice." There's already a "bloodbath," he said, and U.S. troops are targets in a civil war. Diplomacy presents "the only chance" for preventing a regional war, Richardson said. "We need a president who is not dismissive of diplomacy."

Immigration

Richardson said Americans should recognize that "no fence ever built has stopped history." Rather than building more walls on the U.S.-Mexico border, Richardson wants to double the size of the Border Patrol, provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country, and engage in diplomacy with Mexico and Central American countries to help them reform their economies.

Energy

Richardson wants to double the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, or CAFE, to 50 mpg by 2020. He also wants a national renewable energy portfolio standard of 30 percent by 2020 and to 50 percent by 2040. "Within 12 years, my plan would reduce greenhouse emissions by 20 percent, lower demand for oil by 50 percent, and push fuel economy standards to 50 miles per gallon," Richardson said. "By the year 2040, my plan would require that 50 percent of our electricity be generated from renewable sources and would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent," he said.

Richardson is hoping changes to the primary calendar that give new clout to several states with large Hispanic populations can increase his chances of victory. Among those new powerhouses are Nevada, Florida and California, the most delegate-rich state which will hold a primary Feb. 5.

California also is Richardson's native state, thanks to some careful planning by his father. William Blaine Richardson Jr., an American banker living in Mexico City, sent his Mexican wife to the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena to give birth to ensure there would be no questions about his child's citizenship.

Richardson has been New Mexico's governor since 2003. He also represented the state in Congress and served as President Bill Clinton's energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations.

Richardson has raised $6.2 million in the first three months of the year -- about a quarter of what Obama and Clinton brought in and less than half of what Edwards raised. But his campaign always said he would focus more intensely on fundraising after the first quarter.