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Casa

Aug 31, 2010, 8:37 AM

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Molotov cocktail bomb kills 8 in Cancun Bar….

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CANCUN — At least eight people were killed when a gang of men threw Molotov cocktails into a bar in the resort city of Cancun early on Tuesday, Mexico's Excelsior newspaper reported.
At least ten armed men entered the Castillo del Mar, threatened the patrons and then burned down the building, NBC News reported.
Six died at the bar and two later in the hospital, according to NBC.
(I wonder if this will be deemed an accident like in PV a couple of days ago, Maybe they were just playing with the cocktails and they light up by accident)
Full story in English here
In spanish here

Hound Dog

Sep 2, 2010, 9:42 AM

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Re: [Casa] Molotov cocktail bomb kills 8 in Cancun Bar….

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Just a couple of points of clarification for readers unfamiliar with Cancun. Cancun is two very distinct things. There is the relatively large city that grew up from the swamps as a support community for the development in the "hotel zone" which sits with limited access on a sand spit across the Laguna de Nichupte. The fire bombing that took place in the city occurred in a bar in the early morning hours that would probably not be frequented by tourists unless they were seeking pleasures of the night requiring the seeker to behave in a foolish manner with inadequate aforethought as to living through the night with wallet intact. Those who wish to go to Cancun and get looped and behave with abandon can do so without venturing out of the hotel zone where, as of yet, there have been no serious massacres. The chief danger to these folks is the limited number of liver transplants available in Mexico.

Secondly, Cancun is not in Southern Mexico which is the focus of this forum but actually north of Guadalajara. Much of the Yucatan can be considered culturally akin to southern Mexico but Cancun probably has more in common with Pattaya Beach. Great places those; especially if you are an underage, horny, alcoholic reprobate which Dawg was many moons ago. Geezers reading these forums might prefer the beach at Roca Azul.

Brian

Sep 2, 2010, 1:26 PM

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Re: [Hound Dog] Molotov cocktail bomb kills 8 in Cancun Bar….

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The incident occurred 5 km from the tourist zone. 8 people died and the value of a Mexican's life is certainly equal to that of a foreigner. I think the important thing to take away from this event is the root cause. Investigators have determined that, despite warnings, the bar owner could not or would not meet extortion demands. His establishment was made an example for others. It is not unimaginable that even tourist spots could be put under the same pressure with a similar outcome.

Reefhound

Sep 2, 2010, 1:41 PM

Post #4 of 6 (2563 views)

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Re: [Brian] Molotov cocktail bomb kills 8 in Cancun Bar….

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Have you noticed how, in many places, the previous disclaimer that "the violence isn't happening in this part of Mexico" has shifted to "the violence isn't happening in this part of town"?

chinagringo

Sep 2, 2010, 2:02 PM

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Re: [Brian] Molotov cocktail bomb kills 8 in Cancun Bar….

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Quoting Brian: "Investigators have determined that, despite warnings, the bar owner could not or would not meet extortion demands. His establishment was made an example for others. It is not unimaginable that even tourist spots could be put under the same pressure with a similar outcome."

The pressure through extortion can be one of those "hidden" methods used by the drug trade to supplement their incomes. For example, in the City of Chihuahua, the narcos have been forcing packets of drugs on employees of bars, taxi drivers and others who typically make contact with a fair number of potential customers during the evening hours. The product is provided on "credit" and then the narcos return later for payment. As a defensive maneuver, bars owners (something like 40% or 50%) and taxi drivers closed for business at 7PM last weekend. In the long run, these efforts may fail but at the very least, they are an indicator of a willingness to resist.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

chinagringo

Sep 3, 2010, 1:23 PM

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Re: [Brian] Molotov cocktail bomb kills 8 in Cancun Bar….

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The article which follows indicates that they have arrested five (but not the ringleader) involved in this incident:

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/706285.html
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM