MORELIA, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s often violent disputes between street performers reached a new level this week when a group of guitar-toting mariachis attacked a flame-swallower. What happened next was, perhaps, predictable. According to security camera footage obtained by The Associated Press, the mariachis in their white jackets at first seemed to be winning, punching the flame-swallower to the ground and kicking him on the sidewalk in front of a taco restaurant named Hell. The video then shows the mariachis — some with clothing in flames — running away. The flame-swallower had doused them with flammable liquid from a small can and set them alight. The mariachis quickly shed their clothes or extinguished the flames. None returned to the fight. Because competition for tips in Mexico is so fierce, performers and windshield washers often stake out and defend lucrative street corners. Street vendor groups in Mexico City often square off with cudgels and sometimes guns over territory. It is not clear how Sunday’s dispute began in the city of Morelia west of the capital. Police said in a statement that nobody was arrested and only the flame-swallower had to be treated at a hospital. Police said he told them he had argued with the mariachis, who then attacked him. |
Queen Camilla appears in high spirits as she hosts the first female crew to win an aroundSandra Bullock's teen son Louis towers over her during rare outing in West HollywoodBucks and 76ers, who had high expectations this season, face early elimination Tuesday in Game 5sTwins bring Carlos Correa back from IL after 16IMF approves immediate release of final $1.1 billion tranche of $3 billion bailout to PakistanQueen Camilla appears in high spirits as she hosts the first female crew to win an aroundSupreme Court will hear case claiming CBD product got trucker firedMap reveals where headless torso and further human remains have been found by locals in SalfordRaiders expected to sign exBelarus labels German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle ‘extremist,’ bans activities in the country