Saturday, March 29, 2025
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa narrowly escaped harm after his motorcade came under attack by a large group of violent protesters angered by rising diesel prices.
President Noboa was traveling through central Ecuador to inaugurate a water treatment plant when the incident occurred. According to Environment Minister Inés Manzano, “Nearly 500 people arrived, throwing stones, and there are also clear bullet marks on the president’s car.”
Government-released footage shows demonstrators hurling stones and bricks at the convoy, shattering the armored SUV’s windows. Officials confirmed they are investigating bullet impacts on the vehicle. Noboa was unharmed, though five people have been detained in connection with the attack.
The violent unrest stems from the government’s decision to reduce subsidies on diesel, significantly raising fuel prices. President Noboa, recently re-elected, introduced the cuts in a bid to save nearly $1 billion in public spending.
Protesters responded with nationwide strikes, road blockades, and even kidnappings. Sixteen soldiers were briefly abducted before being released. In addition, one demonstrator was killed during clashes with the military, while over a hundred others have been injured. Noboa has since declared a state of emergency across several provinces.
Authorities claim criminal groups are fueling the chaos. Once considered one of Latin America’s safest nations, Ecuador has seen a sharp rise in violence in recent years, largely linked to powerful drug cartels. Officials allege that gangs are exploiting the protests to destabilize the country.
Ecuador’s location between the world’s top two cocaine producers—Colombia and Peru—has turned it into a critical hub for narcotics trafficking. The government now faces the dual challenge of addressing public anger over fuel prices while also tackling the growing influence of organized crime.
