Car Bomb Explosion Outside Mall del Sol in Guayaquil Leaves One Dead and Over 30 Injured. The Terrorist Act Occurs During the State of Emergency Declared by President Daniel Noboa – Gateway Hispanic

On the evening of Tuesday, October 14, 2025, tragedy struck in Guayaquil as a pickup truck detonated spectacularly on Avenida José Joaquín de Orrantia, directly outside the bustling Mall del Sol.

Described as a terrorist act by Guayas Governor Humberto Plaza, the explosion occurred adjacent to a property owned by President Daniel Noboa’s family’s Grupo Nobis, raising alarm bells about targeted assaults on symbols of power within the nation.

The casualties are harrowing: a taxi driver lost his life, and over 30 individuals suffered injuries, with two in critical condition, according to reports from the Guayaquil Fire Department.

This detonation sent shockwaves through one of Guayaquil’s most vibrant sectors, a bustling financial district rife with hotels, banks, hospitals, and dining locales. The fiery aftermath of the parked vehicle incited a crowd, including the taxi driver, a fact that compounded the tragedy when a second explosion sent debris flying, shattering windows and damaging neighboring vehicles.

Witnesses captured the gruesome reality through video—intense flames engulfed the truck, followed by a deafening roar that reverberated for blocks, heard clearly on local radio and television broadcasts. In the wake of the chaos, terrified patrons at Mall del Sol rushed for safety within its confines.

Authorities acted quickly; the National Police cordoned off the vicinity as military personnel and firefighters responded to the crisis. Ten ambulances were dispatched to transport the wounded to local hospitals, while psychological support services were offered to those traumatized by the incident.

A second vehicle fitted with explosives was located nearby and subsequently neutralized through a controlled detonation. Interior Minister José Reimberg affirmed that the device was manufactured by professional criminal entities, reinforcing concerns about organized crime’s grip on the region.

In the aftermath, the Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation, analyzing security footage and witness accounts. Surveillance cameras captured two vehicles departing from the Cooperativa San Francisco, in proximity to the Litoral Penitentiary, yet only one detonated.

This bomb attack exemplifies a broader and escalating violence that has increasingly consumed Ecuador; a staggering 4,619 homicides were recorded in the first half of 2025, marking a 47% increase from the prior year. By August, the murder toll surpassed 5,200, with Guayaquil contributing a third of these tragedies. President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” against 22 gangs labeled as terrorist organizations since January 2024.

Guayas has been under a state of emergency since August 2025, with the military actively patrolling the streets. However, criminals continue to respond audaciously, infiltrating prisons and directly attacking establishments like Grupo Nobis, a cornerstone of Ecuador’s economic landscape. This brazen act appears to be an ominous communiqué directed at the government.

In reaction to the car bomb incident, President Noboa vehemently rebuffed allegations from figures such as former President Rafael Correa, who insinuated that the assault was orchestrated by the government itself as a “self-inflicted” attack.

“No retrocederemos”: Daniel Noboa desafía a las mafias tras el coche bomba en Guayaquil. El presidente Daniel Noboa afirmó que no dará marcha atrás frente a los grupos criminales, tras la explosión ocurrida en Guayaquil, calificándola como una señal de desesperación de… pic.twitter.com/ReTi7D9P6c

— Veinticuatro-Siete (@24_7ec) October 15, 2025

In a resolute address, Noboa stated that “fugitives” and gang leaders linked to Los Lobos and Los Choneros have no moral authority to demand explanations from the government, given their own connections to organized crime.

“Look in the mirror and ask yourselves if it’s worth siding with evil,” he proclaimed, condemning the hypocrisy of those who feign outrage while aligning with nefarious elements.

Noboa reaffirmed his vow to combat criminal activity relentlessly, committing to fill jails with offenders while promoting a “humane” government focused on protecting law-abiding citizens.

Amid this escalating conflict, social protests are also on the rise. On October 7, the presidential convoy came under attack in the south, pelted with stones over rising diesel prices, resulting in shattered windows. The U.S. Embassy has since issued a level 2 alert for citizens, cautioning against crime, terrorism, and kidnappings, and advising against visiting Mall del Sol and the nearby airport.

Exacerbating this horror, former President Rafael Correa provocatively suggested on social media that the car bomb incident might have been a “self-inflicted attack.”

His insinuation provoked widespread outrage, with journalists, public officials, and citizens deeming it irresponsible to propagate unproven theories during a crisis—demonstrating a profound lack of empathy.

Moreover, amidst the national outcry, a post from Correa dating back to 2024, where he warned of potential explosive attacks in Ecuador, resurfaced, igniting further debate and perceived as an attempt to politicize suffering rather than support the victims and back the security forces’ efforts.

This crisis is rooted in the lax policies of previous leftist administrations, which allowed drug trafficking to flourish. Noboa’s administration is actively investing in intelligence and military capabilities, yet the situation demands more: stringent judicial reform, robust border control, and enhanced international cooperation to combat the cartels.

Guayaquil stands resilient, but the clock is ticking. Authorities must deliver justice, lest their promises become mere rhetoric.

This act of violence serves as a clarion call: the battle against organized crime must escalate now, or it may be lost forever.

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