Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s car was surrounded by a group of around 500 people throwing stones as he approached an event in Cañar province, a senior minister said
Environment and Energy Minister Ines Manzano spoke on Tuesday after officially filing a report of an assassination attempt against Noboa. The president was not injured and five people were detained, the minister said. Noboa’s office said all those arrested would be processed on charges of terrorism and attempted murder. Reuters could not independently verify whether a ball had been fired.
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A video from inside a car released by the presidency showed people throwing stones at the side of the road and cracking the car window. A separate image released by the presidency showed a vehicle with smashed windows. A photograph of 37-year-old Noboa standing outside the damaged car in sunglasses was also released after the incident.
The National Indigenous Federation, Conaie, said orchestrated violence erupted against people who mobilized for Noboa’s arrival, saying elderly women were among those attacked in “brutal police and military action”.
Conaie launched a strike action 16 days ago, organizing marches and blocking some roads, in a protest against the government ending diesel subsidies. Critics say more dialogue is needed and that the measure will increase the cost of living, particularly for small farmers and indigenous communities.
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Noboa signed the executive order eliminating the subsidies in mid-September, and his government declared emergency measures in several provinces to maintain order.
The government has defended ending the subsidy, which it says will free up some $1.1 billion a year that it has already begun to redistribute as wage payments to small farmers and people working in the transport sector.
Noboa, who was re-elected in April, has often granted emergency powers to the armed forces and police as part of his tough approach on security.
