One dead, several injured in ‘monstrous’ Guayaquil explosion as authorities probe possible terrorist attack

One dead, several injured in ‘monstrous’ Guayaquil explosion as authorities probe possible terrorist attack

"One person died and several were injured following the explosion of a vehicle in front of the Mall del Sol shopping centre in northern Guayaquil on Tuesday, with authorities investigating it as a terrorist attack. Footage shows the lifeless body under a sheet next to a yellow car on one of the main avenues surrounding the Mall del Sol shopping centre in Guayas province, a highly frequented tourist area north of Guayaquil. According to the Guayaquil Fire Department, the incident also left several injured, all of whom were taken to a nearby health centre for treatment. Guayas Governor Humberto Plaza described the explosion that occurred on Tuesday night as a 'terrorist attack.' "There is material damage, some damage to the buildings. We have lost a human life. It seems monstrous to me. If these people intended to attack the government, they aimed poorly," said the Governor. On his X account, Ecuadorian Interior Minister John Reimberg reported that four high-powered explosive devices with safety fuses and an electronic activation device were found at the scene. He also stated that the explosives used are of 'professional manufacture' and attributed the attack to 'criminal groups seeking to cause chaos' in the area. "I hardly believe in coincidences. In any case, if they aimed to intimidate the government, it backfired on them, because what they have achieved is to fill us with determination to go after them," assured Plaza. The area where the explosion occurred is a middle-class neighbourhood, surrounded by restaurants, businesses, shops, clinics, a hospital, hotels, and the largest shopping centre in the city. Guayaquil, due to its strategic location with access to the Pacific Ocean, has become a key point for criminal organisations. As a result, the city is experiencing an alarming increase in attacks, murders, extortion, disappearances, robberies and other crimes."

'Countryside is unprotected' - Farmers block roads across Mexico demanding fair prices and govt dialogue

'Countryside is unprotected' - Farmers block roads across Mexico demanding fair prices and govt dialogue

"Farmers in Zacatecas joined thousands of producers from 17 of Mexico's 32 states in blocking roads, railways, and government offices on Tuesday, demanding fair prices and urgent solutions to the crisis facing Mexican agriculture. Footage shows farm workers from various agricultural organisations blocking the Calera toll booth on the Aguascalientes highway with tractors and piles of rotten onions, also carrying signs reading, 'Fair prices and dignity for the producer' and 'Mexico without food equals hunger', among others. "We want the federal government and the state government to reconsider and place trained personnel within institutions to resolve issues immediately," proclaimed Alberto de Santiago, leader of the Zacatecas Agricultural and Livestock Areas Farmers Organisation, stressing that now 'the countryside is unprotected'. He added, "Producers are paid meagre prices, and consumers pay exorbitant prices. In this regard, we need to work together; we have not come to fight, we have not come to attack, we have come to claim a right that by divine and social justice we are entitled to." Farmers are demanding higher guaranteed prices, including a minimum of 7,200 pesos (390 USD, 335 EUR) per tonne for commercial crops, and protection against unfair competition from foreign producers. "We request that the Government of Mexico remove the basic grains of maize, beans, wheat and sorghum from the Chicago Board of Trade and review the permanence of the agricultural sector," declared Bean Growers United for the Well-being of Zacatecas leader Fernando Galvan, citing the 'disadvantageous conditions' of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and new tariffs. According to local reports, while the USMCA benefited large, technology-driven agro-exporters, it deepened the struggles of small Mexican producers facing unfair competition and limited structural support. Many compete against heavily subsidised foreign farmers whose lower costs undercut local prices. Protesters called on President Claudia Sheinbaum to open dialogue and address their concerns directly. Demonstrations also took place in Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Sinaloa, and other states. The National Agricultural Council urged all sides to engage in dialogue aimed at strengthening competitiveness and trade integration."