Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa narrowly escaped injury after his convoy came under attack by a large group of protesters in a violent incident that authorities have described as an assassination attempt. The attack occurred on Tuesday when Noboa’s motorcade was ambushed by nearly 500 demonstrators who pelted his vehicle with stones. Environment and Energy Minister Ines Manzano, who later filed an official report declaring the incident an attempt on the president’s life, confirmed that five individuals had been detained in connection with the assault.
According to a statement released by the president’s office, the detained individuals would face serious criminal charges, including terrorism and attempted assassination. While reports indicated visible damage to Noboa’s car, including what appeared to be bullet marks, Reuters was unable to independently verify whether shots had been fired. The violent protest was reportedly triggered by public outrage over Noboa’s recent decision to remove long-standing fuel subsidies, a move that has intensified unrest across the nation.
Despite the attack, President Noboa maintained his schedule and addressed students at an event in Cuenca, located about 77 kilometers south of the site of the ambush. In his remarks, Noboa firmly condemned the violence and warned that such acts of aggression would not be tolerated under his administration. “Do not follow the bad example of those who wanted to stop us from being here today,” he declared. “Such attacks will not be accepted in the new Ecuador, and the law applies to everyone equally.”
Minister Manzano reiterated the president’s message, denouncing the violence as a criminal act. “Shooting at the president’s car, throwing stones, and damaging state property—these are crimes that cannot go unpunished,” she said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to law and order. Meanwhile, the national Indigenous federation CONAIE offered a starkly different account, accusing security forces of unleashing brutality on peaceful demonstrators. The organization claimed that several protesters, including elderly women, were assaulted and that five of their members were “arbitrarily detained.” A video posted by CONAIE on social media showed police officers in riot gear detaining a woman in traditional dress.
The recent wave of protests stems from CONAIE’s ongoing strike against Noboa’s decree ending diesel subsidies, a policy the group says will disproportionately harm Indigenous communities and small farmers. The organization, which has a long history of mobilizing mass protests in Ecuador, has been leading demonstrations and road blockades for more than two weeks. Critics argue that the government’s abrupt policy shift has deepened economic strain on vulnerable sectors already struggling with inflation and unemployment.
President Noboa’s administration has defended the controversial move, insisting that cutting fuel subsidies—estimated to cost the government over $1.1 billion annually—will redirect funds toward compensation programs for small-scale farmers and transport workers. The president, who was re-elected in April, has also invoked emergency powers in several provinces to maintain public order, reflecting his broader law-and-order stance aimed at curbing unrest and criminal activity.
Defence Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo later released a photograph of Noboa standing beside his damaged car, appearing calm and composed despite the attack. “Nothing stops this president, and that’s the best sign that the country itself won’t be stopped either,” Loffredo remarked. The presidency also published footage showing shattered windows and cracked windshields, underscoring the intensity of the assault.
The attack has drawn international condemnation, with countries including Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama expressing solidarity with Noboa’s government. Later that evening, around 200 demonstrators gathered in Quito to protest the administration’s policies, though the march was contained by police and eventually dispersed peacefully. The twin events highlight the fragile political climate in Ecuador, where economic discontent and social unrest continue to test the resilience of Noboa’s leadership.
