Five people have been detained in Ecuador following an alleged assassination attempt on President Daniel Noboa, the government has confirmed.
Officials say about 500 protesters attacked the president’s convoy with rocks during a visit to a community affected by ongoing protests. The country’s Energy and Environment Minister reported “signs of bullet damage” on Noboa’s vehicle, though the president was not injured.
A video shared by the president’s office shows demonstrators throwing rocks and what appear to be bullet holes in one of the car windows.
According to the government, those arrested will face charges of terrorism and attempted assassination. The detainees are reportedly members of Conaie, Ecuador’s largest Indigenous organization, which has led nationwide protests over the removal of diesel subsidies.
The demonstrations, now in their third week, have been marked by violent clashes, injuries among members of the armed forces, and at least one reported death.
President Noboa was accompanied by senior diplomats from the UN, EU, Italy, and the Vatican during the incident. He later shared photos of his damaged convoy on social media, condemning the attack.
The government has defended its decision to end the fuel subsidy, arguing that the $1.1 billion in savings will be redirected to support small-scale farmers and transport workers. Conaie, however, has accused authorities of arbitrary arrests and excessive force during the unrest.
The powerful Indigenous group has a history of leading large-scale protests — including demonstrations that contributed to the downfall of three presidents between 1997 and 2005.
