Rebels claim Mexican gas blasts

By Duncan Kennedy
BBC News, Mexico City

The blasts caused damage put at millions of dollars

A left-wing guerrilla group has said it was behind a series of explosions on pipelines in Mexico earlier this week.

The People's Revolutionary Army (EPR) called for the release of two of its members, whom it claims were captured by Mexican security forces.

Explosions at six oil and gas pipelines in Veracruz on Monday caused enormous damage and disruption, but no injuries.

More than 20,000 people had to go into shelters as oil and gas poured out of ruptured pipes.

Disruption

It is the latest in a series of attacks by the EPR this year.

It carried out another wave of bombings on pipelines in July. A department store and a jail were also hit.

The government has promised to improve pipeline security, but admits it is almost impossible to secure the vast network.

The EPR first emerged in 1996. It said it was acting to protect peasants, some of whom it said had died at the hands of the police.

The group claimed it had 500 members and launched a series of attacks against the authorities which left a dozen officers dead.

It is not clear why it has re-emerged now.

But although the EPR has promised to avoid casualties, this week's bombing shows it has the capacity and the will to unleash widespread disruption and fear.