Explosives Attack Mining Agency Headquarters in Southern Ecuador

The headquarters of Ecuador's Agency for Regulation and Control of Mining (Arcom) in Machala, the capital of the southern El Oro province, was targeted by an explosive device attack on Friday night. Police sources confirmed that the blast caused material damage to the facilities but resulted in no injuries.

The explosion occurred at the state agency responsible for overseeing mining activities in the country, which operates under the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Colonel Remigio Albiño, the police commander for El Oro province, stated that all sector units were activated following the detonation. He explained that the explosive device was launched from a car accompanied by a motorcycle.

According to Albiño, the explosion damaged several buildings. A pamphlet referencing Arcom and its officials, concerning alleged extortion activities, was found at the scene. Details regarding the type of explosive used and potential perpetrators remain undisclosed.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy "energetically condemned" the attack, labeling it an "explosive assault." The ministry noted that the incident occurred just hours after 88 operations were conducted against illegal mining in various areas of El Oro province. "This is not a coincidence; it is a reaction from those who seek to intimidate a state that has decided to confront mafias with firmness," the ministry stated.