Explosions damaged two bridges in Ecuador early Wednesday in what authorities described as retaliation for a recent military crackdown on illegal mining operations, according to the country’s interior minister.
Interior Minister John Reimberg indicated that authorities suspected the criminal group Los Lobos, recently designated a terrorist organization by Washington, was responsible.
“The line we are pursuing is one of retaliation for what we have been doing in Imbabura (province), in terms of controlling the strike and cracking down on illegal mining,” Reimberg told a press briefing in the northern city of Otavalo.
No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made. Infrastructure Minister Roberto Luque suggested the attacks were intended to disrupt traffic.
One explosion dam