President Daniel Noboa (left), protesters throwing stone (X@Presidencia_Ec)
Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa emerged unharmed after his motorcade was assaulted by a crowd of about 500 people throwing rocks as he approached an event in Cañar province, reported AFP citing officials. Environment and energy minister Ines Manzano said a formal report has been filed alleging an assassination attempt, noting “signs of bullet damage” on the president’s vehicle. Five people have been detained in connection.A video released by the presidency showed protesters on the roadside hurling rocks and a fractured car window. Another image displayed a car with broken windows and a cracked windscreen. It remains unclear if bullets actually struck the vehicle. Manzano condemned the attack, saying: “Shooting at the president’s car, throwing stones, damaging state property – that’s just criminal. We will not allow this.”The Indigenous federation CONAIE, which has spearheaded 16 days of strikes and road blockades over the government’s decision to end diesel subsidies, claimed orchestrated violence against demonstrators, including senior citizens. “At least five of us have been arbitrarily detained,” it said in a post on X. CONAIE accused security forces of launching a “brutal police and military action” against participants in their mobilization. The country has been reeling from protests triggered by the removal of diesel subsidies – a move that sharply raised fuel prices and ignited public anger.The unrest is one front among several that President Noboa has faced in his efforts to tighten control over drug violence and gang activity across Ecuador. Just days ago, mass demonstrations were reported in Quito after a state of emergency was declared in 10 provinces to try to contain mounting unrest.
