Four men and four women had "signs of torture" with their hands tied together and "their heads covered in black bags," according to a police report.

Ecuadorian police and security forces have restricted freedom of assembly and at times used excessive force in their response to anti-government protests since mid-September, 2025.

The governor of Guayas province, whose capital is Guayaquil, said Tuesday's explosion was "terrorism plain and simple."

Police said the Los Lobos gang -- designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. -- was suspected of the attack on the judge.

Ecuador's vital oil industry is in a sharp decline, leading to a deepening economic crisis with soaring fiscal deficits and increasing national debt.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Jordy Alcívar scored on a penalty kick in the first half to help Ecuador secure a 1-1 draw against Mexico on Tuesday in a warmup match for both teams for the 2026 World Cup.

The detonation of explosive devices on two bridges in Ecuador early on Wednesday was retaliation for a major military operation against illegal miners, the country's interior minister said.