A grenade tossed into a busy gaming casino in this commercial metropolis less than two hours south of the U.S. border left patrons uninjured but terrified this afternoon, news services have reported.
The attack was launched against the Casino Revolución about 3:30 p.m. One source reported that the grenade failed to explode. Another said that it detonated, but that no one was hurt.
Armed gunmen entered the premises and discharged automatic weapons. The building sustained heavy physical damage. Some guests were said to be hysterical.
On August 25, 2011, narco terrorists launched a brazen daytime arson attack against the Casino Royale in Monterrey, perhaps the worst drug war assault ever against a public entertainment center. Within minutes 52 guests died from flames or smoke inhalation, many of them trapped in rooms from which there was no exit. Most of them women. Monterrey Casino Attack Leaves 52 Dead.
The motive for the 2011 attack was extortion. Extortion in Mexico: one way it’s done. The same is suspected in this case.
Police have not identified suspects in today's attack. Two drug cartels, Los Zetas and Cártel del Golfo, are in stiff competition for control of northbound drug routes to the U.S. border, 100 miles away. Los Zetas also earn millions of dollars annually from commercial extortion. They are active throughout the country, including the famed Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast (Yucatán - and half of Mexico - belong to Los Zetas). Los Zetas are responsible for more kidnappings for ransom than any other cartel, according to Mexico's Federal Police agency.
August 27, 2011 - Opinion: Mexico's Continuing Agony.
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