A parcel bomb disguised as a book exploded in the office of Senator Citlalli Hernández Wednesday evening but the Morena party lawmaker was not seriously injured.
The explosion took place around 7:00pm when Hernández unwrapped a package and opened what she thought was a book, triggering the bomb. Flames from the explosion reached her face, causing superficial burns.
Hernández was transported to hospital for treatment of the burns and smoke inhalation.
Morena Senate leader Ricardo Monreal told Reforma that the bomb appeared to have been homemade.
“It was a box, we think it was sent in the mail, and Citlalli thought it had books inside,” he said. “When she opened it, what appears to have been a homemade device exploded. Everything’s okay, other than some minor injuries.”
Monreal added that the return address on the package seems to correspond to a university association.
Monreal also said that security will be ramped up in the Senate as a result, including controls on entering and exiting the building, as well as on the reception of mail. According to El Universal, Senate employees have complained that security has recently been relaxed in the upper house.
The third floor of the Senate building, where Hernández’ office is located, has been cordoned off by Civil Protection.
Hernández, who represents Mexico City in the Senate, is considered one of the strongest defenders of human rights and individual freedoms in Congress. At 29, she is also one of the youngest senators in Mexican history.
A few hours after the attack, Hernández condemned the incident in a tweet.
“I completely condemn the attack against me in my office, but I reaffirm my conviction that the revolution of conscience and change in this country needs to take place, and that it will happen in a peaceful way,” she wrote. “I thank everyone for their concern and support.”
Source: Vanguardia (sp), El Universal (sp), Animal Político (sp)
