Camilla Jessen
Live interview interrupted by explosive attack.
A political standoff in Central America turned violent on Thursday afternoon when an opposition figure was targeted outside the national legislature.
The incident unfolded live, in front of cameras, as rival blocs prepared for a decisive parliamentary vote.
Attack outside congress
Gladys Aurora López, a member of the National Party in the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), was seriously injured after being struck by an explosive device as she prepared to enter the National Congress on January 8, 2026.
According to international media reports, López was giving an interview when the device hit her in the back and neck. The blast occurred despite a heavy police and military presence around the building.
She was assisted immediately by people inside Congress and later described as being in relatively stable condition, though she suffered multiple injuries, including damage to her ear.
Rising political tension
The attack came as nationalist lawmakers and Parlacen deputies arrived at Congress following a call by Congress President Luis Redondo to vote on a motion to recount votes from the recent general election.
Minutes before the incident, riots reportedly broke out on the lower floors of the Congress building.
Congress President Luis Redondo condemned the attack and announced an investigation.
“I immediately instructed the National Congress security personnel to check internal security cameras, as well as 911 system recordings, to identify the person responsible for throwing an explosive device outside the National Congress (public road) and to proceed according to the law,” he said.
Redondo added: “We strongly condemn the act of violence that took place in the National Congress, which endangered the safety of individuals and directly affected our colleague, deputy Gladys Aurora López… No act of violence will be tolerated in the legislative building or against any member of the legislative branch.”
Opposition accusations
Tomás Zambrano, head of the National Party parliamentary bloc, directly blamed Redondo and former President Manuel “Mel” Zelaya for the attack.
“We were giving interviews to the press, accompanied by fellow deputies from the National Party, to start the extraordinary session, and they threw bombs and mortars at us,” Zambrano said.
“These acts of violence have been committed against the opposition for four years. They cannot continue to abuse their power,” he added, calling on the armed forces and national police to ensure security and warning that the country faces one of its most critical political moments.
