TUCSON – Authorities say they've arrested five people now in an arson attack that killed more than 50 people in the Mexican city of Monterrey. They say the attack was the result of an extortion involving organized crime. But unlike nearly every other crime scene, Mexico’s president called this one an act of terrorism and that changes the political undertones of Mexico’s cartel wars.
By all accounts, Thursday afternoon’s attack was motivated by money not ideology. Eduardo Valle was a Mexican prosecutor and is now a columnist for the major daily, El Universal. He echoes Mexican law enforcement’s view that the burning was the result of a refusal to pay an extortion to one side in an ongoing war amongst the drug cartels.
”The problem is it’s organized crime, but with the style of terrorism," Valle said. "Monterrey is now the field of war. War between the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas.”
The suspects urged people out but people on the second floor couldn’t get away. Valle said the emergency exits were closed. Reforma newspaper said people died as they were crushed in a stampede at the exits.
President Felipe Calderón told the country Friday morning that they are facing “true terrorists.” He’s used the label before, such as a grenade attack during a celebration in 2008.
Last spring, members of the U.S. Congress introduced legislation designating the Zetas and other criminal syndicates as terrorist organizations. At the time, Mexican diplomats balked at the labeling. They complained the label could misconstrue the gangs, portending they have political undertones instead of simply being criminals. On Monday morning, Nuevo Leon state Governor Rodrigo Medina said the suspects were believed to be linked to the Zetas.
George Grayson is a professor at the College of William and Mary who’s researched Mexico’s public security situation for several years. He said Calderon’s tone has changed.
“It ups the ante and is grounds for seeking more assistance from the United States and the international community,” Grayson said.
With the 2012 Mexican presidential election campaign well underway, Grayson points out it’s not only a call for help from outside but from the Mexican people themselves.
“You can expect police to handle crime, or maybe the military,” he said. “But if it’s terrorism, that may take some of the onus off the government because how do you fight terrorism?”
