Experts defused a letter bomb at the US Embassy in Madrid this Thursday (1st). It is the sixth device of its kind sent to “high-profile” targets, in a wave that has seen Spain beef up security and pledge not to back down in support for Ukraine.
The situation began with a package sent to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on November 24, prompting Madrid to beef up security around public buildings.
Since Wednesday (30), similar artifacts have also been sent to the Ministry of Defense, an Air Force base, a weapons manufacturer and the Ukrainian embassy – where a security officer was slightly injured.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, who visited the Ukrainian port city of Odessa and met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, said letter bombs would not stop Spain from supporting the “just cause” of Ukraine.
“What needs to be very clear is that none of these deliveries or any other violent actions will change the clear and firm commitment of Spain, the NATO countries and the European Union to support Ukraine”, he pointed out.
When and where devices were found
The most recent intercepted package was at the US Embassy, later detonated in a Spanish police-controlled explosion.
On Wednesday, a package addressed to the Ukrainian ambassador to Spain exploded at the country’s embassy while a security officer was investigating it, causing minor hand injuries and a concussion. Security has also been tightened around embassies.
Later the same day, Instalaza, an arms manufacturer in Zaragoza, northeast Spain, which has sent more than 1,000 C90 rocket launchers to Ukraine, received another artifact.
On Thursday, an Air Force base that houses a European Union satellite center, the Spanish Ministry of Defense and the US Embassy also received packages.
After the device sent to the Ukrainian embassy detonated, the country’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, ordered all Kiev embassies abroad to “urgently” tighten security.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Spain, Serhii Pohoreltsev, appeared to blame Russia.
“We have instructions from the Ukrainian ministry that, given the situation, we must be prepared for any kind of incident… Russian activities outside the country,” he told Spanish television broadcaster TVE on Wednesday.
“Sudden flames
Early indications suggest the packages were sent from within Spain, the country’s deputy interior minister told reporters.
Rafael Pérez, the junior minister in charge of security, pointed out that the homemade devices were shipped in brown packages containing flammable powder and a trigger that would generate “sudden flames” rather than an explosion.
The packages were addressed to those responsible for the institutions to which they were sent.
Spain’s Supreme Court, which specializes in terrorism issues, has opened an investigation, noted a judicial source.
Source: CNN Brasil
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