The bombings across Mexico City Nov. 6 caused no injuries but rattled nerves in a country wracked by protests since the polarizing July 2 presidential elections. President Vicente Fox called the attacks "criminal acts aimed at frightening the population."

Leftist protesters have battled federal police for control of Oaxaca City since Oct. 30, and the guerrilla groups pledged to continue "military" actions until Oaxaca state Gov. Ulises Ruiz steps down. Protesters accuse Ruiz of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, of rigging the elections that brought him to power in 2004 and oppressing dissent.

"We take full responsibility for these actions," the groups said. "Our political-military action is a response to our determination to reply with revolutionary violence to the violence unleashed by the lords of power and money."

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 11, 2006
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