A car bomb exploded near Madrid’s main convention centre on Wednesday, injuring 43 people, hours before Spanish and Mexican leaders were due there and after a warning from the Basque separatist group ETA.The blast came before King Juan Carlos and Mexican President Vicente Fox were to open an art fair at the complex.Some 43 people were hurt, none seriously, and six police officers were among the injured. The explosion coincides with a major police operation against ETA, and has erased any hope that the group might declare a truce before Basque regional elections in April, and could dent Madrid’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
