2011 Monterrey casino attack
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Monterrey casino attack was a narcoterrorist
attack that took place in city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, in the country of Mexico
, on August 25, 2011. Government sources revealed that 52 people were killed, but local reviews mention that 61 bodies were eventually found after a few days. In addition, this terrorist attack left over a dozen injured, and over 35 trapped for several hours before the Mexican forces arrived at the place a few minutes after the incident. Media reports said the majority of those killed were women. Although the government crackdown of the drug cartels dates back to 2006, Monterrey became an increasingly violent city in 2010, due to the rupture of the Gulf Cartel
and Los Zetas
.
This attack was planned and carried out by the most violent drug cartel in Mexico, Los Zetas
. Surveillance videos show how four vehicles with several well-armed gunmen arrived at the entrance of Casino Royale. After the gunmen descended from their vehicles, they quietly stormed the casino's main entrance, opened fire at a few gamblers and guests, and then doused the casino entrances with gasoline and started a fire that trapped the people inside. This attack was classified as the most violent and bloodiest in the history of Monterrey and of the whole state of Nuevo Leon
.
Felipe Calderon
launched an offensive against drug cartels in 2006.
The attack happened around 15:30 hours, when at least 12 gunmen, witnesses said, sprayed gas, fired shots and threw at least one grenade into the compound, which is located at the intersection of Jesus Maria Fernandez streets and S. Jeronimo, some of them getting out the door, some people were trampled in the stampede, while emergency exits remained locked.
Before this tragedy, a betting center, owned by Grupo Royale, had been attacked twice this year by organized crime, but with no casualties.
declared three days of national mourning. In addition, Calderón sent over 3,000 soldiers
and federal police officers to restore order.
organization, just behind Heriberto Lazcano alias "el Lazca," and Miguel Treviño Morales
, alias "Z-40."
Narcoterrorism
Narcoterrorism is a term coined by former President Fernando Belaúnde Terry of Peru in 1983 when describing terrorist-type attacks against his nation's anti-narcotics police...
attack that took place in city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, in the country of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, on August 25, 2011. Government sources revealed that 52 people were killed, but local reviews mention that 61 bodies were eventually found after a few days. In addition, this terrorist attack left over a dozen injured, and over 35 trapped for several hours before the Mexican forces arrived at the place a few minutes after the incident. Media reports said the majority of those killed were women. Although the government crackdown of the drug cartels dates back to 2006, Monterrey became an increasingly violent city in 2010, due to the rupture of the Gulf Cartel
Gulf Cartel
The Gulf Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico, and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country...
and Los Zetas
Los Zetas
Los Zetas is the second most powerful drug cartel in Mexico and considered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as the most violent drug cartel and paramilitary enforcement group in Mexico...
.
This attack was planned and carried out by the most violent drug cartel in Mexico, Los Zetas
Los Zetas
Los Zetas is the second most powerful drug cartel in Mexico and considered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as the most violent drug cartel and paramilitary enforcement group in Mexico...
. Surveillance videos show how four vehicles with several well-armed gunmen arrived at the entrance of Casino Royale. After the gunmen descended from their vehicles, they quietly stormed the casino's main entrance, opened fire at a few gamblers and guests, and then doused the casino entrances with gasoline and started a fire that trapped the people inside. This attack was classified as the most violent and bloodiest in the history of Monterrey and of the whole state of Nuevo Leon
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
.
Attack
The incident occurred at Casino Royale, and is one of the deadliest attacks against an entertainment center in Mexico since PresidentPresident of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
Felipe Calderon
Felipe Calderón
Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa is the current President of Mexico. He assumed office on December 1, 2006, and was elected for a single six-year term through 2012...
launched an offensive against drug cartels in 2006.
The attack happened around 15:30 hours, when at least 12 gunmen, witnesses said, sprayed gas, fired shots and threw at least one grenade into the compound, which is located at the intersection of Jesus Maria Fernandez streets and S. Jeronimo, some of them getting out the door, some people were trampled in the stampede, while emergency exits remained locked.
Before this tragedy, a betting center, owned by Grupo Royale, had been attacked twice this year by organized crime, but with no casualties.
Reactions
President Felipe CalderónFelipe Calderón
Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa is the current President of Mexico. He assumed office on December 1, 2006, and was elected for a single six-year term through 2012...
declared three days of national mourning. In addition, Calderón sent over 3,000 soldiers
Mexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
and federal police officers to restore order.
Captured
The mastermind of the casino attack, Oliva Castillo alias "La Rana," was captured. He is presumably the third-in-command in Los ZetasLos Zetas
Los Zetas is the second most powerful drug cartel in Mexico and considered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as the most violent drug cartel and paramilitary enforcement group in Mexico...
organization, just behind Heriberto Lazcano alias "el Lazca," and Miguel Treviño Morales
Miguel Treviño Morales
Miguel Angel Treviño Morales is a Mexican drug trafficker who is a commander of the drug cartel known as Los Zetas, currently led by Heriberto Lazcano...
, alias "Z-40."
See also
- Mexican Drug WarMexican Drug WarThe Mexican Drug War is an ongoing armed conflict taking place among rival drug cartels who fight each other for regional control, and Mexican government forces who seek to combat drug trafficking. However, the government's principal goal has been to put down the drug-related violence that was...
- Los Zetas Cartel
- 2010 Tamaulipas massacre
- 2011 Tamaulipas massacre2011 Tamaulipas massacreThe 2011 Tamaulipas massacre was the mass murder of at least 193 people discovered in mass graves on April 6, 2011. These people were kidnapped from passenger buses. Although not confirmed, some newspapers mention that the body count surpassed 500, but that the state government of Tamaulipas...
- 2011 Durango Massacres2011 Durango massacresThe 2011 Durango massacres were a series of mass murders that occurred in 2011. At least 249 bodies have been found in mass graves around the city of Durango. These mass graves are the first of their kind in the state of Durango and third of their kind in Mexico...