Political unrest in Ecuador escalated this week as President Daniel Noboa’s convoy came under attack in a rural province, an incident the government is calling an assassination attempt amid mounting protests over fuel subsidy cuts.
The confrontation, which occurred on Tuesday while Noboa was traveling to inaugurate infrastructure projects in impoverished regions, underscores the deepening political tensions in the South American nation.
Footage circulating on social media depicted demonstrators pelting Noboa’s convoy, shattering windows as the caravan sped away. Authorities later reported that Noboa’s car bore possible bullet damage, with five individuals detained in connection with the attack.
Ecuador’s Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo characterized the assault as “a clear assassination attempt and act of terrorism,” citing the escalating aggression by protest leaders calling for city shutdowns. The incident has amplified concerns over security as Noboa’s government grapples with a surge in violent crime and widespread social unrest.
Noboa, a banana industry magnate who secured reelection in April, has prioritized public safety and fiscal reforms, frequently relying on emergency powers — including military deployments — to maintain order.
The latest wave of protests began after Noboa announced the removal of a diesel subsidy, prompting fuel prices to jump from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon. The policy sparked demonstrations led by Ecuador’s largest Indigenous federation, CONAIE, which launched a strike over two weeks ago.
Tensions further escalated with the government’s declaration of a 60-day state of emergency in ten provinces with significant Indigenous populations, a measure that restricts public assemblies but does not ban peaceful protest.
Last week, a clash between police and Indigenous demonstrators in El Tambo left one protester dead, several injured, nearly 100 detained, and military personnel briefly held by demonstrators. On Sunday, protesters demanded the immediate release of those arrested, including 13 accused of terrorism, according to the public prosecutor’s office.
President Noboa remains resolute, affirming there will be no reversal on the fuel subsidy policy. He stated on X (formerly Twitter) in Spanish, declaring that anyone who commits violence will be prosecuted by the law and those who act as criminals will be branded as one. Noboa also promised that the $1.1 billion saved from subsidies will be redirected to social programs.
Ecuador’s broader context remains fraught, with the country reporting a 40% surge in homicide rates year-on-year and past efforts to remove fuel subsidies sparking similar nationwide protests.
