ADRIAN FLORIDO, HOST:
Mexico has been rocked by violence over the last few days. Police have confronted protesters in the state of Guerrero. And overnight, a series of explosions left six people dead in Jalisco state. NPR's Eyder Peralta reports.
EYDER PERALTA, BYLINE: The violence started Monday, when thousands of protesters blocked the highway that runs from Mexico City to the beach town of Acapulco.
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PERALTA: Protesters demanded the release of a bus driver who was found with weapons and drugs, and they quickly overpowered security forces.
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PERALTA: They kidnapped more than a dozen police officers and government officials. Police say they were mobilized by a criminal group known as Los Ardillos. In the end, at least six people were killed. And as the week went on, things only got worse. On Tuesday night, another organized crime group detonated seven improvised explosive devices, targeting police officers in the state of Jalisco. At least six people were killed.
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ENRIQUE ALFARO: (Speaking Spanish).
PERALTA: "It was an act of brutal terror," said Governor Enrique Alfaro.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador blamed the violence on government neglect. He said organized crime had filled the void. And now, in some parts of Mexico, they have enough popular support to cause mayhem.
Eyder Peralta, NPR News, San Marcos de Colon, Honduras.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
