El poder brutal, Rock-cut sculpture in Tandapi, Pichincha, Ecuador

El poder brutal is a rock-cut face carved into a mountain on Ecuador Highway 20, about 5 km from Tandapi. The 20-meter-high head sits 30 meters above the ground at the tip of a hill facing a sharp bend, with two horns above the forehead, a pointed nose and a half-open mouth showing fangs. Below it, in capital letters, the rock reads "EL PODER BRUTAL."

César Octaviano Cristóbal Buenaño Núñez, a tractor driver for the Ministry of Public Works, carved the sculpture between 1984 and 1986. Assigned to demolish a rock outcrop at km 50 of the Alóag–Santo Domingo road, he found a large rock and sculpted it in his free time. A final dynamite blast ordered by the Ministry revealed the finished face.

The sculpture represents both rational and unconscious aspects of humanity through a combination of human features like eyes and animal elements like fangs.

The sculpture sits along the main highway between Quito and Guayaquil and can be viewed from passing vehicles or a quick roadside stop. A brief pause allows you to examine the carving up close.

The creator worked during daylight hours operating his tractor for demolition, then spent evenings sculpting the rock face until completion.