Thursday, July 12, 2007

Yeah right. Hee Hee! They Think We're Stupid!


Guerrillas claim to be behind Mexico explosions

Eight attacks on pipelines have caused shortage of gas for industries
By DUDLEY ALTHAUS

Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Mexico City Bureau



MEXICO CITY — An obscure guerrilla group that has been barely active for a decade took responsibility Tuesday for a recent series of pipeline explosions in central Mexico.
The People's Revolutionary Army, which until now has been active mostly in Guerrero, Oaxaca, and other southern Mexican states, said in a communique that "several platoons" of its militants blew up the pipelines in the past week as part of a new campaign.
"The order to begin a national campaign of punishing the interests of the oligarchy and this illegitimate government has been put in play," said the statement.
Mexican officials seemed to authenticate the group's claims. Presidential spokesman Maximiliano Cortazar said that investigations have been launched "to punish those responsible" and that tighter security measures have been ordered.
A statement by the federal interior ministry, responsible for internal security, said the government "categorically condemns the attacks against the Pemex installations."
The guerrilla communique said militants from the group — known by its Spanish acronym, EPR — planted eight explosive devices at pipelines near the cities of Celaya and Salamanca in Guanajuato state last Thursday and another in a town in neighboring Queretaro state early Tuesday.
Pemex, the government's petroleum monopoly, operates a refinery near Salamanca.
Most of the damage occurred on a 36-inch pipeline carrying natural gas. Other explosions damaged a 16-inch oil pipeline. The explosions caused shortages of gas to industries in Guadalajara and other central Mexican cities.
A Pemex spokeswoman said Tuesday that the company would not comment on the supposed guerrilla claims.
If they are confirmed, the guerrilla group's claims suggest an expansion of its operations and a threat to energy production in Mexico.
Mexico's exports to the United States, many of which pass through Houston, have been dropping as production in the offshore Cantarell field dwindles.

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