Home > Uncovering Mexico > Archives > 2008 > September > 16 > Entry
Independence Day ‘terrorist’ attack rocks Mexico
The Grito de Independencia is an almost sacred act in Mexico. The annual celebration of independence brings millions into the streets for late-night, ritualistic cries of Viva Mexico!
Last night the revelry was shattered when who authorities believe were drug traffickers lobbed three grenades into the celebration in Morelia, the picture-perfect colonial capital of Michoacan state. At least eight people were killed and more than 100 wounded.
Even in a country long used to horrific acts of drug violence and kidnappings, the grito attack represents a new level of terror. The Austin-based Stratfor private intelligence agency warned that warring Mexican cartels may be ratcheting up the violence: “The Sept. 15 bombing…is a significant departure from previous cartel operations because of its indiscriminate nature,” the agency wrote in a report today.”… (S)uch an attack on a public gathering celebrating a national holiday is unprecedented. Even though the attackers may have been going after a specific target (who may or may not have been killed) - and even though death tolls from recent public displays of violence have been higher - the collateral damage, both physical and psychological, is quite extensive.” Mexican officials are labeling the attack an act of terrorism. Leonel Godoy, the governor of Michoacan, said that authorities had received threats of an Independence Day attack and laid the blame on organized crime. The president of Mexico’s human rights commission called the attack the worst that Mexico has suffered in recent memory. “When there is an attack on the populace, we’re talking about terrorism,” Jose Luis Soberanes told reporters. “I’m very worried because we don’t know where this is going to end.”
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By jennifer rose
September 16, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Last night, Morelia lost its innocence.
http://staringatstrangers.typepad.com/staringatstrangers/2008/09/the-night-morel.html
By Dede
September 16, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
I have a quick question: I saw video on the news of celebrations around Austin for this Mexican Independence Day. I don’t understand why we are involved in any celebrations. We don’t celebrate Independence Day for any other country, do we? Do they celebrate Italy’s Independence Day up north somewhere? Perhaps they do…. I just thought it was strange for this to be happening at the Capitol and elsewhere.
By Tomas Palacios
September 16, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Hola mi nombre es Tomás.
Es increible que esto nos este pasando, nunca lo habiamos vivido de esta manera, la inseguridad en las calles es terrible, el gobierno mexicano no toma las acciones necesarias para enfrentar este terror que vivimos dia con dia, desde la venta de droga, hasta los secuestros de nuestros hijos, y ahora ataques terroristas. La ciudadania no confia en el gobierno, ni en el poder judicial. Los policias de los grandes estados renuncian a sus cargos por el mismo miedo y temor de ser asesinados, está es una organización criminal que desea tomar el poder del gobierno de México.
By Tomas Palacios
September 16, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Mexico está sumergido en los delitos de droga, secuestro y terrorismo.
By Larry
September 19, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
There are very few people attending Mexican Independence Day events, at least here in Austin. Probably the majority are those who feel more Mexican than American. But they could also just be honoring their roots.
Hopefully those murdering our Mexican neighbors will eventually be caught or killed. The problem is Mexico has no death penalty. And many of their police/prison guards are not what we would call professionals. Not sure what the answer is in a country where graft and corruption is rampant.
By State Police
September 23, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Mexico really does have problems. I mean their justice system accepts torture as the norm and the military is commonly used on its own populace and sometimes with reason. The people have no faith in their government and no faith that the police and the military are looking out for their best interests.
So something needs to change, and I am not so sure that it isn’t the government. However revolutions are not cheap in the new century. I am also not looking forward to the mass exodus to the United States when the next Mexican civil war occurs.