Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa narrowly escaped harm on Tuesday after his motorcade came under attack during a public event in the country’s central region.
According to Environment Minister Ines Manzano, the incident occurred while President Noboa was inaugurating a water treatment plant when hundreds of protesters launched an assault on the convoy.
“About 500 people showed up and were throwing stones at him, and there are obviously bullet marks on the president’s car as well,” Manzano revealed.
She added that despite the chaos, the president remained composed and determined to continue his duties. “Thank God, our president, very firm, brave, keeps moving forward, is carrying out his agenda as usual,” she said.
The government later released a video allegedly filmed from inside the motorcade, showing protesters draped in flags scrambling to find rocks and bricks to hurl as the presidential vehicle passed.
In the footage, a voice is heard shouting, “Cover your head! Cover your head!” as projectiles hit one of the SUVs, shattering a window.
Recall that Ecuador has been gripped by days of violent demonstrations following the government’s decision to raise diesel prices, a move that has sparked widespread anger.
Officials have accused drug cartels who are fighting for dominance over lucrative cocaine trafficking routes of fueling the unrest to destabilise the country.
Despite the mounting tensions, President Noboa has vowed to stay on the course, pressing ahead with his reform agenda amid growing public dissent and security threats.
