A group of at least eight individuals stormed and torched a bar in coastal Veracruz, killing 25 patrons and injuring 13 others. The man behind the attack was previously released by Mexican authorities. The bar is the sixth regional business torched in two months in what investigators describe as a large-scale extortion operation.
Overnight, a team of gunmen barged into the Caballo Blanco bar in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. The gunmen held up the patrons and began dousing the property with gasoline before throwing Molotov cocktails. The death toll could rise in the days ahead.
Veracruz Governor Cuitlahuac Garcia issued a statement identifying the man behind the attack as Ricardo N. aka “La Loca,” who state authorities arrested in July and then released 48 hours later. Gov. Garcia requested the case be taken over by federal authorities.
Los indicios sobre el deplorable crimen en el bar de Coatzacoalcos señalan a que uno de los autores materiales es Ricardo “N” alias “la loca” a quien las fzas coordinadas de Veracruz detuvieron en julio de este año y fue liberado en menos de 48hrs por la FGE.
— Cuitláhuac García (@CuitlahuacGJ) August 28, 2019
While investigators have not identified a criminal organization behind the attack, the case is the sixth of its kind in Coatzacoalcos in the last two months. According to statements made by Gov. Garcia to local news outlets, arson is now a common practice to collect hefty extortion fees.
Update: Veracruz authorities confirmed that one of the victims previously listed as injured died, bringing the total to 26 fatalities.
The Veracruz Attorney General’s Office denied allegations made by the governor regarding La Loca’s release. Through a statement, the agency revealed they never handled the matter and contended it was the federal attorney general’s office that previously released the suspect.
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. He can be contacted at Iortiz@breitbart.com.
Brandon Darby is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can be contacted at bdarby@breitbart.com.
Tony Aranda from Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project contributed to this report.
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