A case occurred where an explosion occurred when a mysterious USB memory that arrived at a journalist was inserted



In Ecuador, it became clear that at least five journalists working at television and radio stations were mailed USB memory type bombs. One of the five exploded, but the victim was not seriously injured.

At least 5 news stations receive letter bombs in Ecuador, one explodes: 'Clear message to silence journalists' - CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/news-stations-letter-bombs-ecuador-one-explodes-clear-message-to-silence-journalists/

Journalist plugs in unknown USB drive mailed to him—it exploded in his face | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/journalist-plugs-in-unknown-usb-drive-mailed-to-him-it-exploded-in-his-face/

Ecuador's public prosecutor's office, Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE), reported on its official Facebook account on March 21, 2023, that 'a terrorist attack has taken place that targeted several journalists and has opened this investigation.' . This post only announces that the Ecuadorian prosecutor has started a terrorist investigation, and it is unknown why the journalist was targeted for terrorism.


According to Ecuadorian Interior Minister Juan Zapata, it is clear that the envelope containing the bomb was sent from the town of Kinsaroma on the coast of Los Rios. The bombs were sent to Guayaquil (3) in the southwest and Quito (2), the capital, and according to Interior Minister Zapata, all the bombs sent to the five journalists were ``exactly the same''.

Lenin Altieda, one of the journalists who received the USB bomb, is a journalist working at Ecuavisa , a private television station. When he inserted a mysterious USB-type bomb mailed to him into his PC, it seems that it exploded.

Ecuadorian police officer Xavier Chango said the blast left Artieda with minor injuries to his hand and face, but said no one else was injured. According to Mr. Chango, it seems that RDX, known as a military explosive, may have been used in the USB type bomb received by Mr. Artieda. According to the Environmental Protection Agency , RDX, also known as T4, is a widespread military explosive used by the US military. Mr. Chango said that although RDX was contained in a capsule of about 1 cm in the USB type bomb, only half of it was activated in the exploded one, so the damage was relatively small.

It seems that journalist Carlos Vera was also sent the same USB type bomb, but it seems that the police succeeded in seizing it before the courier delivered it to Mr. Vera. Ecuadorian prosecutors also point out that a USB bomb was sent to TC Televisión , a national television station in Guayaquil. In addition, Teleamazonas , an Ecuadorian television station, also reported that a USB memory with similar characteristics was sent to the office in Quito.

Ecuadorian police report on Twitter that they recovered a USB bomb that was mailed to a journalist in Guayaquil.




'This is a clear message to silence journalists,' said Interior Minister Zapata.

Fundamedios, an NGO that advocates for press freedom, said: ``Three TV stations - Ecuavisa, Teleamazonas and TC Televisión - have been attacked by journalists, one of which has exploded. And we consider it unacceptable, and we are asking the authorities to investigate the culprit,' he said, reporting an attack using a USB-type bomb aimed at journalists.


In addition, it seems that the USB type bomb was addressed to Mr. Artieda of Ecuavisa, Mr. Mauricio Ayora of TC Television, Mr. Milton Perez of Teleamazonas. Of these, Fundamedios reports that the envelope addressed to Mr. Artieda contained a threatening letter to journalists.

In addition, the envelope sent to Mr. Perez of Teleamazonas contained a memo stating that the USB memory contained information about 'Coleismo,' a political movement named after former President Rafael Correa. is.

Also, according to Fundamedios, it seems that an envelope containing a USB memory was sent to Mr. Alvaro Rocero of EXA, an FM radio station in Ecuador, on March 15, 2023. However, it seems that this USB memory did not explode even if it was inserted into the PC. However, police investigations have revealed that this USB memory also contained explosives.

In response to the attack on journalists, the Ecuadorian government issued a statement saying it 'absolutely rejects all forms of violence against journalists and the press' and 'disgusts any attempts to threaten journalism and freedom of expression'. condemned the attack on

Sandwiched between Colombia and Peru, the world's largest producers of cocaine, Ecuador has become a center of the global drug trade in recent years. In 2021, Ecuadorian law enforcement seized a record 210 tonnes of drugs, mostly cocaine. The attack targeted Guayaquil, one of Ecuador's most violent cities, known for frequent clashes between criminal gangs over drug trafficking routes.

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