On March 20, the offices of the Ecuadorian media companies TC Televisión and Teleamazonas received envelopes with electronic explosive devices after a similar device detonated at the Ecuavisa channel. The envelope at TC Televisión was addressed to journalist Mauricio Ayora, while at Teleamazonas it was addressed to presenter Milton Pérez. The envelopes with the USB storage devices were opened, but they were never inserted into computers and did not explode.
Earlier, journalist Lenin Artieda of Ecuavisa received an envelope with a USB memory stick, which exploded when he plugged it in at the media outlet’s headquarters in Guayaquil. Fortunately, there was no material damage, and Artieda is unharmed and safe. Inside the envelope was also a threatening note against the journalist, who is the host of the morning talk show Contacto Directo.
The Ecuadorian government issued a statement condemning these violent acts against journalists and media, stating that any attempt to intimidate journalism and freedom of expression are reprehensible acts that must be punished with the rigor of justice. Photos circulating in social networks show police agents in the offices of these television channels to investigate the apparently connected events, which are part of the escalation of violence in Ecuador.