Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa was attacked by a crowd of about 500 protesters who hurled rocks at his convoy near Guayaquil on Thursday, as authorities withdrew diesel subsidies.
President Attacked in Ambush
Protesters in Ecuador fired rocks at the vehicle carrying President Daniel Noboa, causing dents and shattered windows.
BBC reports that approximately 500 people threw stones at the convoy. A government spokesperson said visible gunshot damage was present on the vehicle, but the president was unharmed.
Police arrested five individuals suspected of attempting a coup against the president. Members of Conaie, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, claimed the arrests were “arbitrary” and placed five of their activists in custody for alleged terrorist acts and attempted murder, according to the presidential office.
Protests Sparked by Fuel Subsidy Cuts
The protests began two weeks ago after the government announced the termination of diesel subsidies, a move that had not been previously decided.
Officials said phasing out the subsidies would save the state US$1.1 billion annually, funds that could be redistributed to small farmers and the transportation sector. Citizens opposed the fuel price hikes triggered by the policy change.
Attack on President Repeated in October
Earlier in October, the president and his convoy were again ambushed by demonstrators while traveling with high‑ranking diplomats from the UN, EU, Italy, and the Vatican.
Images posted online show smashed windshields on the vehicles. Several security forces members were wounded, and Conaie reported a death during the clash.
The organization accused the government of unlawful detentions and brutality amid the confrontation.
