Five people have been arrested following an alleged assassination attempt on Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, according to Energy Minister Ines Manzano.
The incident occurred while Noboa was traveling to Cañar province, where he was scheduled to announce new infrastructure projects. His car was surrounded by a crowd of around 500 people throwing rocks and other objects at the presidential convoy.
Later, bullet marks were found on Noboa’s vehicle, though the president was not injured, Minister Manzano confirmed.
Authorities said the detained individuals will face terrorism and attempted murder charges.
This is not the first time President Noboa’s convoy has been attacked. In September, around 350 people assaulted a motorcade carrying the president and several diplomats during a protest in Imbabura province, using fireworks, Molotov cocktails, and rocks, according to officials.
The attacks come amid growing unrest across Ecuador, following the government’s decision to end a diesel fuel subsidy as part of efforts to reduce public spending.
In recent weeks, mass demonstrations led by Indigenous communities have blocked major roads and clashed with security forces. One protest last week turned deadly, leaving one civilian dead and several injured.
Protesters accuse the government of using excessive force to suppress dissent over the new fuel policy.
Over the weekend, the government declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces, citing “serious internal unrest” that threatens public order and safety.
The recent unrest in Ecuador highlights a deepening political and social divide between the government and its people, especially the Indigenous communities that play a powerful role in national protests. While removing fuel subsidies aims to stabilize the economy, it has also triggered a widespread crisis of trust toward President Noboa’s administration.
The repeated attacks on the president’s convoy signal growing instability and security failures at the national level. In a country long challenged by corruption and political violence, Noboa now faces a dual threat: maintaining public order while preserving his legitimacy.
If dialogue with Indigenous leaders fails and violence continues, Ecuador risks sliding into a prolonged institutional and social crisis.
Source: CNN