# South American terrorism prosecutions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-american-terrorism-prosecutions
> Updated: 2026-07-28T16:31:33.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

In the aftermath of a September 2025 car bomb that detonated outside La Roca prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, authorities launched a prolonged investigation. By July 2026 the Guayas prosecutor’s office filed terrorism charges against four suspects, securing preventive imprisonment after extensive forensic and intelligence work.

Separately, Colombian security forces traced a drone‑borne explosive device that struck the José Hilario López military canton in Popayán on 25 April 2025. In July 2026 three individuals linked to the attack were sentenced to preventive detention on charges of aggravated criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and illegal weapons manufacturing.

Both cases illustrate a pattern of coordinated explosive attacks across the region and the corresponding legal response: detailed investigations followed by terrorism‑related charges and detention of alleged perpetrators in Ecuador and Colombia.

## Claims

- Leonardo García Ramírez, Fabián Andrés Tumbo Ulcúe and Yeli Marcela Usnas Campo were sentenced to preventive detention for their role in the drone attack on the José Hilario López military canton in P (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The drone attack occurred on 25 April 2024 in Popayán, Colombia. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Leonardo García Ramírez coordinated the logistics of the attack, rented the property where the drone was prepared, managed resources and communicated with other members before and after the attack. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Fabián Andrés Tumbo Ulcúe received training in handling drones and explosives. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Yeli Marcela Usnas Campo possessed an electrical detonator used to activate improvised explosive devices. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The three suspects were charged with aggravated criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and illegal manufacturing, trafficking and possession of weapons, ammunition and explosives. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- None of the three accepted the charges and remain in preventive detention while the judicial process continues. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-28: Three suspects sentenced to prison for drone attack on Popayán military canton

Three suspects were sentenced to preventive detention for the April 25 drone attack on a Popayán military canton, charged with terrorism and illegal explosives.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/three-suspects-sentenced-to-prison-for-drone-attack-on-popayn-military-canton

### 2026-07-23: Four suspects processed for terrorism after 2025 car bomb attack on La Roca prison in Guayaquil

Four people were charged with terrorism after a car bomb exploded outside La Roca prison in Guayaquil on 26 Sept 2025; authorities seized vehicles, cash and phones and placed the suspects in preventive custody.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/four-suspects-processed-for-terrorism-after-2025-car-bomb-attack-on-la-roca-prison-in-guayaquil

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Cite as: South American terrorism prosecutions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-american-terrorism-prosecutions