Thursday, February 26, 2009

Calm Before the Storm

Well. The quiet day yesterday? It was short-lived.

Around 5pm state police were ambushed on the main highway, about 15 minutes south of Zihuatanejo. Four police officers were killed when the men fired a bazooka into their truck and it burst into flames.


The police didn't even have a chance to fire their weapons. The assailants fled and while the national highway was closed for two hours, as far as I know, they haven't been found. The newspaper is reporting that the checkpoint between the airport and Zihua was also hit with bullets during the attack.

There was a different shooting not long after this and most of the smaller neighborhoods near the main road have been blocked off ever since. I saw my friend this morning and she said her street has been blocked since last night.

I'll post a link in English if I find one, but for now you can go here to see photos and read the story in Spanish.

10 comments:

Jenna said...

We're all keeping you in our prayers Mel...Jenna.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Good heavens! And I'm with Jenna.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks. :)

This morning from the track we could see police trucks circling the block. There's always men in back with machine guns, but this time he was standing up and ready to shoot - similar to the way you see a guy sticking out of a humvee in war.

WendyCinNYC said...

Thinking of you daily, Mel. Be safe.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I think Mexico might want to do something about the cartels, not just collect more money from them.

I guess this is what happens when you leave them be for so many years, they get more powerful than the government.

Now the people that want to get rid of them cannot.

Is it coincidence or what, my word is "darnsfor"

Robin said...

I'm so sorry, Melanie. Please be safe. Remember the flat food idea.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Wendy.

Penguin, that is ironic about the word verification. :) I don't think they'll be able to rid Mexico of the cartels for a long long time.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, you continue to crack me up. We went to the market early this morning so I'm well stocked.

Nadine said...

OMG Melanie, please keep safe! Is there anyway you can call your lawyer to let him/her know about all of this? I would think all the shootings would expedite the process.

I am so sorry!!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Yeah, I've told her. Today I finally just sent her the link to the site where we get our news so I don't have to keep sending her the latest. I honestly have no idea if any of this will affect our case. We're just trying to be next in line - any violence won't influence their decision.