For a map, click here. For a map of Zacatecas state click here New information from Proceso about the victims and a string of abductions
By Chris Covert
Eight unidentified individuals were wounded in two separate attacks involving hand grenades in the cities of Fresnillo and Zacatecas, the capital of Zacatecas state Thursday, according to Mexican news accounts.
Several other attacks have taken place in various municipalities of Zacatecas state all pointing to the possibility the attacks were a response to Los Zetas multiple murders in Guadalajara late last month.
To read the Rantburg report on the Guadalajara, Jalisco attacks by Los Zetas criminal gang members late last November, click here
The first attack took place in Fresnillo where armed suspects drove up to the municipal police headquarters and threw a grenade. Two police agents were wounded in the attack.
A few minutes later in Zacatecas city, armed suspects threw a grenade near a grocery store in La Rosita colony on the west side of Zacatecas. Six civilians were wounded in that attack. Damage was also inflicted on buildings and nearby vehicles.
The Mexican leftist weekly Proceso reported on a post on its website Thursday night that two of the targets were apparent members of Los Zetas criminal gang. Also, three of the four wounded who were hospitalized were later taken from the facility at gunpoint. The attack was initiated allegedly by Sinaloa cartel gunmen.
In Jerez, about 50 armed suspects aboard 20 vehicles entered the town, where they kidnapped an unknown number of local police agents. The officers were reportedly returned beaten, but alive.
Later on Calle Torrecillas in Jerez a residence was attacked, presumably because it was a Los Zetas safe house.
Additionally, other armed attacks were made in the municipalities of Rio Grande and Sombrerete.
All those attacks were on residences said to be Los Zetas safe houses, and some of the attacks involved hand grenades.
Reports are Policia Federal (PF) patrol helicopters were observed on patrol shortly after the attack, attempting to track suspects involved in the attack.
Last Sunday evening a PF road patrol was ambushed by armed suspects in Panuco municipality north of Zacatecas city. PF return fire killed three suspects. Three PF agents were also wounded in the attack.
Until last summer, Zacatecas was considered Los Zetas territory as it is astride a network of roads leading into Durango state to the northwest and Coahuila state and the La Laguna metropolitan area to the north. Those roads have also in the past been areas where highway robbers operate. Some of their victims have included members of the Mexican Catholic clergy.
Southern parts of the border with Jalisco have been flash points of violence between Los Zetas and criminal groups associated with the Sinaloa and Gulf cartels.