Ecuador: Journalist Injured After Opening USB Letter Bomb

A journalist in Ecuador was injured after he opened an envelope containing a USB letter bomb in the middle of the newsroom.

Journalist Lenin Artieda said the UBS letter bomb looked like a USB drive, but when he plugged it into his computer, it detonated, according to BBC.

Ecuador's head of forensic science noted that the USB letter bomb devices contained "military-type" explosives.

Artieda was the only one reported to be injured by the device, while other devices sent to other journalists through the post failed to explode or were never opened.

The government has condemned the attack noting that freedom of expression is a "right that must be respected."

On Monday, the Ecuadorian attorney-general's department announced that it had opened an investigation regarding the letters. Artieda's newsroom was not the only media outlet targeted.

Journalist in Ecuador Injured After Receiving USB Letter Bomb

The Ecuadorian attorney-general's department confirmed that at least five news outlets in Ecuador were sent the letters, but it did not name these specific organizations targeted.

Interior Minister Juan Zapata said five journalists working in TV and radio stations received USB letter bombs. Three were sent to Guayaquil, and two to the capital Quito.

CBS News reported that the prosecutor's office in Ecuador had opened an investigation into the crime of terrorism. Zapata told reporters that the envelopes were sent from the town of Quimsaloma, which is in the coastal province of Los Rios.

The interior minister said the device is "the same in all five places." Zapata noted that another package addressed to journalist Carlos Vera was also sent, but police stopped the item's delivery. It did not reach its destination.

Prosecutor's office in Guayaquil noted that a USB letter bomb was also sent to the offices of TC Television. Zapata said the distribution of USB letter bombs is an "absolutely clear message to silence journalists."

The Fundamendios NGO noted that the USB letter bombs were also addressed to Mauricio Ayora of TC Television and Milton Perez of Teleamazonas.

The one addressed to Teleamazonas contained a note that claimed to have information on "Correaismo," a political movement named after former president Rafael Correa.

Lenin Artieda received the USB letter bomb with a letter containing a threat against him. Police official Xavier Chango noted that Artieda sustained injuries to one hand and his face.

Violence in Ecuador

The homicide rate in Ecuador increased to around 16 per 100,000 citizens as of October. The government of Ecuador declared the fourth state of emergency since October 2021, according to Human Rights Watch.

Aside from the high homicide rate, poor prison conditions also plagued the country, with overcrowding contributing to a series of gang-related mass killings.

Nine massacres left around 400 detainees dead, and dozens injured between February 2021 and October 2022.

Overcrowding seems to stem from the excessive use of pretrial detention, including harsh drug policies and delays in granting benefits.

On top of that, prison guards are reportedly poorly trained and lacking in numbers to curb violence in their wards.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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