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Mexico's Calderon: End tolerance of crime
17 Sep 2008 22:21:58 GMT
 Source: Reuters
MEXICO CITY, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Mexico's president called for an end to a culture of "impunity and tolerance" of crime on Wednesday after suspected drug traffickers killed seven people in a grenade attack during independence day celebrations.

Two almost simultaneous grenade attacks ripped through the crowded center of the colonial town of Morelia on Monday night during a national holiday. Authorities pinned the blame on powerful drug cartels turning to increasingly violent methods.

"This is the moment to put a full stop to the culture of tolerance, to complicity and impunity for crimes. I hope that every Mexican joins the struggle against these enemies of the state," President Felipe Calderon said in a speech.

"It is a mistake to assume that tolerating them we can live in peace," he said before heading to Morelia to visit those injured in the attack.

Authorities revised the death toll to seven, from eight previously. Dozens of people, including several children, remained hospitalized with burns and fractures.

The governor of the western state of Michoacan, where the attack took place, blamed drug gangs for the attack.

Calderon has deployed thousands of troops across the country to fight drug traffickers, but his fight has been hurt by widespread corruption in Mexico's security forces. Policemen are often arrested for links to cartels or kidnapping rings.

Mexican media speculated the attack was linked to a turf war between the Sinaloa cartel, headed by Mexico's most wanted man, Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, and a local gang. (Reporting by Miguel Angel Gutierrez, writing by Mica Rosenberg)


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Last updated:Wed Sep 17 22:23:53 2008