Google Translate. For a map, click hereRoad blocks entered their second consecutive day as criminal gangs blocked several key intersections in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, according to Mexican press reports.
Saturday morning several roads around the Monterrey airport were blocked by hijacked cars and trucks. Blocks were started near the intersection of calles Sendero and Manuel L Barragan, and at Calle Universidad and the road to Laredo at about 0400 hrs. Witnesses reported being ordered from their cars at gunpoint and being forced to walk away from the area in the dark.
These first blocks were quickly dismantled using cranes placed nearby by authorities.
The reasons for the blocks are unclear at the moment. Usually blocks take place because gangs want to impede movement of police and military forces, gangs have suffered some sort of reverse, or they are attempting to prevent armed forces from closing and engaging.
However, Monterrey city authorities announcesd only a few days ago new counter block tactics to include the use of prepositioned cranes, and placing some police forces on motorcycles.
Blocks have been used for sometime in Monterrey and their use has been extensive in the recent and ongoing fighting in Reynosa, Tamaupilas between criminal gangs, and Mexican police and military forces.
