Two explosions rocked the Ecuadorian capital Quito early Monday, targeting the agriculture ministry and the mining regulatory agency, leaving one person injured and damaging nearby property, authorities reported. The blasts occurred just days after an explosive device was deactivated near a courthouse, highlighting the escalating violence fueled by organized crime groups in the South American nation.
Details of the Attacks
Quito police chief Patricio Armendariz told reporters at the scene that two individuals exited a vehicle and placed two explosive devices near the buildings. The explosions took place at approximately 3:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) in a residential area that also houses a gas station. The mining regulatory agency confirmed that a member of its security team sustained injuries but is now out of danger.
Official Condemnation
Energy Minister Juan Carlos Blum strongly condemned the attack, attributing it to “those who seek to halt the state’s fight against the illegal extraction of minerals.” The statement underscores the government's ongoing struggle against illegal mining operations often linked to criminal networks.
Subsequent Incident at Bus Terminal
Later on Monday, police carried out a controlled detonation of a grenade near a bus terminal in northern Quito and arrested two men who were carrying the explosive. Authorities did not specify whether this incident is connected to the earlier explosions. The coordinated response indicates heightened security measures across the capital.
Rising Cartel Violence
Ecuador has seen a surge in violence from organized crime groups engaged in turf wars and confrontations with the state. On Thursday, a bomb squad successfully deactivated a similar device placed near a courthouse. The country now ranks among the most violent in Latin America, with cartels vying for control of drug trafficking routes and illegal mining operations.
