Ecuadorian authorities have arrested five people following what officials describe as an attempted assassination of President Daniel Noboa, amid escalating nationwide protests over fuel subsidy cuts.
According to the government, the incident occurred when a crowd of about 500 protesters attacked the president’s convoy with rocks and other projectiles. The Minister of Energy and Environment said there were “signs of bullet damage” on Noboa’s vehicle, though the president escaped unharmed.
A video shared by the president’s office—and seen by the BBC—appears to show demonstrators pelting a car with stones, with three small holes visible in one of the windows. However, the BBC noted it has not independently verified whether bullets were fired.
The country’s largest Indigenous organisation, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), confirmed that five of its members had been detained, calling the arrests “arbitrary.”
In a statement, President Noboa’s office said the individuals would face charges of terrorism and attempted assassination.
Nation in Turmoil Amid Fuel Protests
Ecuador has been gripped by two weeks of violent demonstrations, triggered by the government’s decision to end diesel subsidies, a policy it argues will save $1.1 billion annually for redistribution to small-scale farmers and the transport sector.
Conaie, which has organised marches and nationwide roadblocks, accuses the government of violent repression and mass detentions. Authorities, meanwhile, have labelled the group’s actions “criminal” and a threat to national stability.
The unrest marks one of the most serious challenges yet for Noboa, who took office in November 2023 on promises to restore order and economic stability.
Second Attack in a Week
The alleged assassination attempt follows a similar ambush on Noboa’s convoy last week, while he was traveling with senior diplomats from the United Nations, European Union, Italy, and the Vatican to deliver aid to affected communities.
Photos shared by the president showed smashed windshields and shattered car windows from that earlier attack.
The ongoing violence has left several military personnel injured, and Conaie claims one protester has been killed.
The organisation—known for leading demonstrations that toppled three presidents between 1997 and 2005—has vowed to continue its protests until the government reverses its fuel policy, deepening fears of renewed political instability in the Andean nation.
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