Rooms for the Federales

This weekend, a hotel in Lázaro Cárdenas where Federal Police troops were staying was attacked by gunmen, resulting in one death, two injuries, and the capture of two men. This in turn led to mayor of the city asking for the Federal Police not to stay in hotels, as it turns the establishment into a logical target for such activities.

Fair point. The Federal Police here in Torreón stay at one of two hotels, a Hampton Inn and a Fiesta Inn. When they are in town, they have a dozen or so trucks parked out front of their hotel, and men with automatic rifles slung over their shoulders walk around the lobby and parking lot at all hours of the day. Aside from being a logical target for gunmen that puts civilians in harm's way, the climate created by the presence of dozens of often ski-masked troops is not one of fun in the desert sun, but rather looming death. Which of course is not conducive to a successful hotel operation. It seems as though the Federal Police are expected to be the long-term answer to cities descending into violence, which means that dropping into towns where they have no permanent presence will be a basic part of their function. They should do as the army does and build makeshift barracks in abandoned buildings.