A beautiful fairy tale about a hummingbird carrying water in its beak to put out a forest fire was circulating on social networks this week; also, horrific stories about incendiary terrorist birds, unknown for now, that attacked the physical and psychological integrity of respected journalists from different media. Two stories intertwine good and evil.

Hummingbirds and fire; one version attributes it to the Guaraní culture of Paraguay. In short: one day there was a huge fire burning in the jungle; all the animals fled in fear; Suddenly the jaguar saw a small hummingbird flying in the same direction and in two directions. He asked, “What are you doing, hummingbird?” “I am going to the lake,” he answered; he took water with his beak and poured it into the fire to put out the fire. Jaguar smiled. “Are you out of your mind? Do you think you can put it out with your beak?” “No, I know I can’t do it alone, but this jungle is my home, it feeds me, it shelters me and my family. I’m doing my part.” Moral of the Guarani grandmother: “Do you want to attract miracles into your life? Do your part.”

An explosive capsule for military use would have been embedded in the package that detonated in Ecuavisa

Stories that continue to have an impact are the terrorist actions against journalist Lenin Artieda, from Ecuavisa; Mauricio Ayora, from TC Television; Milton Pérez, from Teleamazonas; and other recipients, to whom the postal service sent a USB stick (universal serial bus) or a flash disk filled with explosives in sealed envelopes, with alleged information about corruption cases. It is a clear message against his life, for silencing freedom of expression and an example of what can happen to any journalist or citizen.

Moral of the Guarani grandmother: “Do you want to attract miracles into your life? Do your part.”

The explosives spread throughout the country

Technology has been disclosed to carry out attacks with electronic devices called USB Killer, which are freely sold, to destroy computer hardware with an accumulated electric discharge of up to 220 volts. These devices appear to have some form of plastic explosive embedded in them, which constitutes an act of terrorism.

Our COIP says: “Art. 366.- Terrorism. – Whoever, independently or by forming armed associations, provokes or maintains a state of terror in the population or part of it, by actions that endanger the life, physical integrity or freedom of persons (…), will be punished by imprisonment. a sentence of ten to thirteen years.

The fight against terrorism, violence and crimes against journalism protects the freedom of expression of all Ecuadorians. Will they be able to work with a vest, goggles, helmets and blast masks? Use anti-terrorist health insurance or lock yourself in an armored cabin?

Several journalists were killed in Colombia and Mexico; some suffered two deaths: physical and moral, because there is a suspicion that they were involved in some criminal act.

Hummingbird or bird? If we are hummingbirds, let’s apply the lesson from the fairy tale: do your part! If you receive a flash drive of unknown origin, think twice before inserting it into your computer: it could be from some terrorist bird. (OR)