For a map, click here. For a map of Tamaulipas state, click here
By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
A third day of attacks against several targets in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas took place including a firebomb attack on Mexican state police agents and one attack on a local night club, according to several Mexican news sources.
According to a report posted on the website of the leftist Proceso news weekly, Thursday's attacks included a firebomb attack at the Hotel Santa Cecilia on Avenida Reforma early Thursday morning at around 0730 hrs local time, which police agents for the Tamaulipas state Secretaria Seguridad Publica (SSP) are using for quarters.
Previous Mexican wire dispatches said the hotel was occupied by a detachment of the Polica Federal and that several PF agents were wounded in the attack.
A total of eight state police agents were wounded and another two civilians were hurt as well. The vehicle used was a Chevrolet pickup truck. Damage to the hotel's facade was reported as well.
Several news reports say a car bomb followed by small arms fire characterized the attack, however, not even Los Zetas can get their hands on high grade or military grade explosives. Previous attacks which have been described as car bombs were likely vehicles in which fuel tanks were detonated by a hand grenade. Grenades, both hand grenades and the launched 40mm variety are in widespread use by the drug cartels.
According to the Proceso report, Thursday morning's attack were preceded by other attacks.
- Monday, a gaming establishment operating illegally, the Amazon, was firebombed.
- Tuesday two nightclubs, the Zebra and the Dubai were attacked, although press reports have not characterized the nature of those attacks.
Four hours prior to the attack on the Hotel Santa Cecilia, another nightclub, the Maranho was attacked by firebomb. Reports have also indicated that around the same time as the first attack, several roadblocks were put up by local criminal gangs, which is a tactic used to deny and delay security forces access to area where cartel shooters are operating.
An American English language press report attributed some of these attacks to Los Zetas, who have been locked in a deadly dual with an alliance of the Sinaloa and Gulf Cartels. Attacks, made mostly on innocents, are photographed along with narcomantas or painted messages, with threats against rival cartels.
Los Zetas are under increasing pressure from their rivals in their home turf. Multiple murders over the last two months in Nuevo Laredo and elsewhere by both sides have taken place, though nearly all the victims had no connection with the drug cartels.
Mass murders in both Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon and in Jalisco state by Los Zetas operatives have been among the responses by the group to Sinaloa Cartel incursions into their home territory.
Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com
© Copyright 2012 by Chris Covert
You must obtain permission to reprint this article