Protests against hike in gasoline prices turn violent in Mexican city of Monterrey

Record ID: 163309

  • Title: Protests against hike in gasoline prices turn violent in Mexican city of Monterrey
  • Date: 6th January 2017
  • Summary: MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON, MEXICO (JANUARY 5, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS VANDALIZING AND TURNING CARS OVER DEMONSTRATORS RUNNING ALONG TUNNELS CLOSE TO CENTRAL SQUARE, OR MACROPLAZA, IN CITY PROTESTERS THROWING ROCKS AT WINDOW OF PALACE OF JUSTICE VARIOUS OF PATROLS ARRIVING AT THE SQUARE AND PROTESTERS RUNNING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT, ANA MARIA VILLARREAL, SAYING: "There was a lack of prevention, coordination, there were troublemakers. It wasn't a peaceful protest. Normal people were sitting down, asking for no violence. How did this happen? How did they let youngsters out, and get on top of the cars, at 10 o'clock at night? With the policemen looking the other way?"
  • Embargoed: 21st January 2017 17:08
  • Keywords: Mexico gasoline prices protests violence
  • Location: MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON AND MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • City: MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON AND MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Budget/Taxation/Revenue,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015XY15J7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Forty-eight Mexicans, angry over a double-digit hike in gasoline prices, were arrested on Thursday (January 5) after taking part in violent protests in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey.
    Those arrested were accused of causing damages, injuries and vandalism at the Macroplaza main square. Three vehicles belonging to media outlets were damaged.
    Protesters also damaged federal, state and municipal facilities, injured citizens and journalists and robbed businesses, days after the government raised gasoline costs by 14 to 20 percent, outraging Mexicans already battling rising inflation and a weak currency.
    The state government said it will investigate and punish those responsible of taking part in Thursday's events.
    During the violent event, four journalists were also injured, who are now out of danger, according to an official news release sent by the local government.
    Shopping malls were also targeted.
    Public facilities were vandalised such as the government palace, municipal palace, and offices belonging to Mexico's largest state mortgage lender, Infonavit.
    Local authorities claim a group of troublemakers had infiltrated the contingent of demonstrators.
    Resident, Ana Maria Villarreal, agreed.
    "There was a lack of prevention, coordination, there were troublemakers. It wasn't a peaceful protest. Normal people were sitting down, asking for no violence. How did this happen? How did they let youngsters out, and get on top of the cars, at 10 o'clock at night? With the policemen looking the other way?"
    Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said earlier on Wednesday that the price spike that took effect on Jan. 1 was a "responsible" measure that the government took in line with international oil prices.
    The hike is part of a gradual, year-long price liberalization the Pena Nieto administration has promised to implement this year.
    "I know that there is a lot of annoyance and anger at this situation. There are feelings that I understand. That's why today I want to offer you a broad explanation on this topic, hoping it helps to clarify the concerns that still exist," Pena Nieto said in a televised address to the nation.
    Damages to different venues and department stores will be valued, the news release stated.
    "This is an increase coming from abroad. The government will not receive a cent of taxes for this increase. Trying to maintain the artificial price of gasoline would have forced us to cut social programs, raise taxes or increase the debt of the country, putting at risk the stability of the whole economy," Pena Nieto added during his TV address.
    A stained glass on the facade of the government palace dating from 1908 was also destroyed.
    Around the country, stores have been looted stores and roads blockaded, prompting over 250 arrests amid escalating unrest over the rising cost of living in Latin America's second biggest economy.
    State oil company Pemex said on Tuesday that blockades of fuel storage terminals by protesters had led to a "critical situation" in at least three Mexican states.
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