A group of protesters attacked the motorcade of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and threw stones at the cars.
As stated by the country’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Ines Manzano, the incident occurred when the head of state was heading to an event in the city of El Tambo, Cañar province. According to her, about 500 people gathered along the route of the motorcade and staged an attack.
Manzano emphasized that a complaint has been filed with the prosecutor’s office regarding the attack. “Traces similar to bullet holes were found on the president’s car. President Noboa was not injured, and the perpetrators will not go unpunished,” the minister noted.
After the incident, the president continued the program in the city of Cuenca in the province of Azuay, where he met with students.
Noboa called the attack on the motorcade “vandalism.” “Do not follow the example of those who are trying to prevent us from participating in events and attacking us. Today is the time to choose the future we want for our country. Today is the time to fight for development, but to do so peacefully, wisely and in the spirit of solidarity,” the president said.
According to local media, the protesters were unhappy with the government’s decision to remove subsidies for diesel fuel.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Ecuador (Conaie), which has been protesting against the abolition of subsidies for 16 days, announced a nationwide strike.
President Noboa previously stated that the authorities intend to follow through with the decision to abolish subsidies, and those who resist will face punishment.