Quote:Reporting from Mexico City Gunmen stormed a crowded casino in northern Mexico on Thursday and ignited a fire that trapped patrons inside, killing at least 53 people in what the nation's president called an "aberrant act of terror."
The attack on the Casino Royale was the latest bout of spectacular violence in Monterrey, an industrial hub that is Mexico's third-largest city. For more than a year, the city has been the setting for a brutal turf war between rival drug-trafficking gangs that at times have held gunfights on downtown streets in broad daylight.
Adrian de la Garza, prosecutor for the border state of Nuevo Leon, told reporters that the death toll stood at about 40. Four people remained missing. Gov. Rodrigo Medina later told Mexican media that 53 had died.
He said the five or six attackers apparently used gasoline to start the blaze. Officials did not give a suspected motive.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon went on Twitter to express dismay over what he called an "aberrant act of terror and barbarity."
"This is a night of sadness for Mexico," said Alejandro Poire, a federal security spokesman. "An unspeakable, repugnant, unacceptable act of terror has been committed."
Television images showed shocked patrons waiting outside as helmeted rescue workers raced into the blackened casino in search of survivors.
One woman told Milenio Television that customers scattered in panic after profanity-spewing gunmen burst into the casino and ordered people to get out. In the confusion, many people trapped themselves inside after hiding in bathrooms or fleeing to an upper floor.
Emergency exits were blocked, possibly increasing the death toll, officials said.
Monterrey Mayor Fernando Larrazabal said the casino was shut down in May for code violations but later allowed to reopen after lawyers for the casino won a court order.
The woman interviewed by Milenio Television described a frenzied scene.
"Four armed persons entered and began to say: 'Everybody leave! Everybody leave!' " she said. The woman said she ran out a door to a parking lot, but many others fled to the second floor of the casino.
The witness said the attackers, wearing white masks, did not fire weapons or hurl grenades, as some early news reports had suggested. "They started to throw gasoline. There was no grenade attack," she said.
At least 20 people were killed in July after suspected drug cartel members opened fire in a crowded Monterrey bar, an apparent attack on a rival gang.
Much of northeastern Mexico has been besieged for a year and a half by fighting between the Gulf cartel and former allies known as the Zetas. The bloodshed has been especially shocking in Monterrey, an important business town formerly known for relative tranquillity.
Violence has exploded across Mexico since Calderon declared war on the cartels soon after taking office in 2006.
So, the Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, just spoke about this. He blames the US because they buy drugs and sell weapons to these criminals, he says that the US should do something to stop this kind of violence.
Loose Wrote:So, the Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, just spoke about this. He blames the US because they buy drugs and sell weapons to these criminals, he says that the US should do something to stop this kind of violence.
He's a moron.
Typical Politician nonsensical words- can't find solution? Blame it on someone else.
Loose Wrote:So, the Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, just spoke about this. He blames the US because they buy drugs and sell weapons to these criminals, he says that the US should do something to stop this kind of violence.
Loose Wrote:So, the Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, just spoke about this. He blames the US because they buy drugs and sell weapons to these criminals, he says that the US should do something to stop this kind of violence.
I'm not sure you can blame the entire country on something like depending on how high up the power ladder those orders came from. I just briefly skimmed over the article and didn't see where it said who the one giving the orders was.
Quote:Mexican authorities have arrested five alleged members of the Zetas drug cartel for their role in a deadly attack on a Monterrey casino.
Some 52 patrons of the Casino Royale were killed when gunmen stormed the building and used gasoline to light on fire on Thursday.
Nuevo Leon Governor Rodrigo Medina held a press conference early Monday morning to say five men have been arrested.
The El Universal newspaper reported the men were identified as:
Luis Carlos Carrasco Espinosa, El Chihua, 25 years old, Chihuahua
Javier Alonso Martínez Morales, El Javo, 37 years old, Monterrey
Jonathan Jair Reina Gutiérrez, 18 years old, Monterrey
Juan Ángel Leal Flores, 20 years old, Monterrey,
Julio Tadeo Barrones Ramírez, El Julio Rayas, 28 years old, Monterrey
Gov. Medina told reporters that the men had lengthy criminal histories and are members of the Zetas drug cartel.
El Universal reported that one of the men was identified through fingerprints from a vehicle seized at the crime scene.
That mans arrest led to the arrest of the other four.
Gov. Medina told reporters that the Zetas had been extorting money from the owners of the casino.
Medina said owners are out of the country but would also be questioned about possible negligence due to lack of emergency exits.
Mexicos President Felipe Calderon has pledged full support for Gov. Medina and the City of Monterrey.
Some 1,500 soldiers from the Mexican Army and 1,500 federal police are being deployed to the city.
The Mexican Navy reported on Monday morning that it is also sending more of its marines to Monterrey.
