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Drug gangs suspected in fatal Mexico City explosion

"The narcos already think they own the country, and now they want to own the city."

Apolinar Valadez, 55, an electrician

A lunchtime blast that killed one person and injured two on a main street near a tourist district has shocked residents of the Mexican capital, which has so far largely avoided the drug violence raging in the rest of the country.

City and federal officials say the homemade bomb, which exploded two blocks from a Mexico City police compound on Friday afternoon, was likely the work of organized crime rather than leftist rebels.

The country has suffered from a wave of shootouts, grenade attacks and execution-style killings that left more than 2,500 dead nationwide last year. But authorities say Mexico City traditionally has been more of a meeting place for traffickers looking to close drug deals than a base for their operations.

"It's scary to think that criminals can do whatever they want," 55-year-old electrician Apolinar Valadez said on Saturday. "The narcos already think they own the country, and now they want to own the city."

Investigators believe the explosive was detonated remotely by a cellphone, Police Chief Joel Ortega said on Friday.

Injuries to the dead man, who has not been identified, indicate he was carrying the bomb in his right hand, Ortega said. Investigators have yet to question an injured woman identified as 22-year-old Tania Vazquez, whom police say knew the dead man, and are investigating whether they may have played a role in the blast.

Vazquez, who suffered serious burns, remained at a hospital on Saturday in stable condition under police guard. The daily El Universal reported that police arrested two men at her home in the Tepito neighborhood late on Friday.

A 29-year-old apparent bystander, who suffered minor injuries, was also questioned by police, Ortega said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb, which contained gunpowder, pieces of metal and pellets. Rebel groups that have set off explosives outside banks and blown up petroleum pipelines tend to issue warnings, which didn't happen on Friday.

Mexico City has recently seen an increase in drug arrests and weapons seizures, including last week's detention of seven alleged well armed members of the Sinaloa cartel. Last month, 11 alleged hit men for the gang were arrested at two mansions in the city.
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