IED's in Mexico

According to the LA Times, a DTO (possibly the Carrillo Fuentes organization) detonated a small car bomb in Ciudad Juarez as par t of a operation to confront government forces. As stated in the article:

"Four are killed in what officials call a well-planned trap near a federal police headquarters. It appears to be the first time traffickers have used a car bomb since the start of a military-led offensive against drug cartels. Drug traffickers have added a powerful weapon to their arsenal, employing a car packed with nearly 20 pounds of explosives to kill police officers, Mexican authorities said Friday."

Apparently, narco operatives captured a civilian and wounded him. The victim was then dressed in a police uniform, placed inside a green Ford Focus, and was strapped to the drivers seat. An emergency call was placed, and officials arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. According to ABC.com, "The cartel was targeting law enforcement because of the arrest of a high-ranking La Linea member, Jesus Armando Acosta Guerrero, AKA El 35, and because of a belief that Mexican officials were favoring, and aiding, the rival Sinaloa drug cartel." La Linea is described as being the mobile armed wing of the Carrillo Fuentes DTO.

The car was the detonated remotely, killing four and wounding 20. The bomb was comprised of 20 pounds of industrial high explosive and dozens of 3-inch dry wall screws.

Many have jumped the gun saying that the Narcos are learning these tactics directly from Islamic Jihadists, but I disagree. Most likely the DTOs are picking up these tactics from other foreign parties, such as arms dealers in Central America or Russia. Those individuals are the ones who probably have some sort of connections to the Jihadists, and they are just simply passing tactics and materials down the line. However, all theories aside, these IEDs highlight the DTOs ruthless new tactics, which include open and violent attacks on not only soldiers, but also medical officials and civilians. Tactically, the DTOs are trying to convey the message that they do not fear reprisal for their actions, and that every Mexican citizen (soldier, paramedic, or ordinary civilian alike) can potentially be in harms way.