Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa safe following attack on his vehicle.

In a recent incident that has drawn significant attention, a government official in Ecuador accused protesters of making an attempt on the life of President Daniel Noboa. The situation unfolded when a group of approximately 500 demonstrators surrounded Noboa’s vehicle in the south-central province of Canar, reportedly hurling rocks at the presidential motorcade.

The incident occurred as President Noboa arrived in El Tambo for an event focused on water treatment and sewage management. Environment and Energy Minister Ines Manzano expressed grave concerns following the altercation, stating that the president’s car bore “signs of bullet damage.” In her statements to the press, she filed a formal report, asserting that the events amounted to an assassination attempt.

Describing the actions of the protesters, Manzano condemned the violence, stating, “Shooting at the president’s car, throwing stones, damaging state property is criminal.” She underscored the commitment of the government to ensure accountability for those involved in the attack.

In an official statement released by the president’s office following the incident, the government emphasized the intent of the attackers to disrupt a project aimed at improving local communities. The statement asserted that anyone arrested would be prosecuted for terrorism and attempted murder, highlighting the severity of the incident. Subsequently, five individuals were detained, although President Noboa himself was unharmed during the events.

Video footage shared by the president’s office captured the chaotic scene, exhibiting demonstrators fiercely throwing objects at the convoy, which resulted in shattered windows of the vehicles. A particular image circulated showed a silver SUV with a completely shattered passenger window and windshield, raising questions about the extent of the violence.

Noboa became Ecuador’s youngest president after his re-election in April, stepping into the role amid rising national concerns about crime and governance. His administration has grappled with the dual challenge of surging crime rates and the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s economy. Once regarded as a hub of tranquility, Ecuador’s reputation has shifted as criminal organizations expand their influence.

In the face of resistance, Noboa’s government has also drawn criticism for its decision to eliminate a fuel subsidy deemed essential by lower-income families. Although his administration defends this policy change as a means to eliminate diversion and smuggling, Indigenous groups, particularly the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), have pledged to protest and block roads as a demonstration of their discontent.

Despite the tensions, CONAIE refrained from outright endorsing the attack on Noboa’s motorcade, suggesting instead that any violence witnessed was a response to governmental forces aimed at quelling dissent among the assembled crowds. They expressed solidarity with those detained, emphasizing that the people should not be viewed as adversaries.

This incident marks a continuing trend of political unrest in Ecuador, where recent months have seen Noboa’s administration navigating through multiple protests and calls for accountability amidst complex socio-economic challenges.

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