Explosion at Ecuador Judicial Unit Prompts Call for Increased Security

Ecuador's Judiciary Council is demanding enhanced police protection following a bombing at a judicial facility in Machala, a city in the southern El Oro province bordering Peru. The attack occurred Sunday night, targeting the Unit for Specialized Judicial Services Against Violence Against Women and Family Members, which had recently opened.

Unidentified individuals detonated an explosive device, destroying the main entrance and damaging the building's facade. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. As a precautionary measure, judicial staff have been instructed to work remotely while security assessments are conducted. The council has also urged the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the incident and apprehend those responsible.

Investigators discovered pamphlets at the scene containing threats directed at three judges. Local media reports suggest these threats originated from the Los Lobos Espejo group, demanding the release of a specific individual. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by judicial officials in Ecuador.

Ecuador has been under a state of "internal armed conflict" since 2024, declared by President Daniel Noboa to combat escalating criminal violence. The government attributes the surge in violence, which resulted in a record 9,283 homicides in 2025, to organized crime groups. Attacks against judges and prosecutors, as well as bombings targeting police stations and judicial offices, have become increasingly common across the country.