Quito’s Metro system was forced to suspend operations early Monday after a failure in its communication and surveillance systems, prompting an investigation that could include possible sabotage.
Mayor Pabel Muñoz said authorities are working to determine the cause of the disruption and restore service, while also preparing to involve prosecutors if needed.
- Service suspended early April 20
- Failure affects communications and video surveillance
- Sabotage not ruled out
According to officials, the issue lies in the Metro’s central control systems, which manage video monitoring, radio communication, and station oversight. Without those systems functioning properly, operators say they cannot guarantee passenger safety.
The shutdown was announced around 5:30 a.m., when the Metro confirmed a technical incident affecting its core operations.
Muñoz said that if internal causes are ruled out, investigators will consider the possibility of external interference.
“Anything can happen,” he said, noting that legal teams are preparing to file a complaint so the case can be formally investigated.
Despite the disruption, authorities emphasized that the trains themselves remain operational. The suspension is strictly tied to safety protocols, which require full functionality of monitoring and communication systems before service can resume.
For now, there is no confirmed timeline for when operations will restart, as technicians continue to assess the failure and restore the affected systems.