London, UK – 8 October 2025

The escalating political tension in Ecuador erupted violently this week as President Daniel Noboa’s motorcade was attacked by a crowd of approximately 500 protesters in the south-central province of Cañar. The President was reported to be unharmed, but a top minister swiftly filed a formal report alleging an assassination attempt, marking a severe escalation in the ongoing unrest over austerity measures.

Motorcade Ambush and Bullet Damage Alleged

The incident occurred on Tuesday, 7 October, as President Noboa’s convoy was approaching an event in the canton of El Tambo. The protestors, who were demonstrating against the government’s decision to end diesel subsidies, surrounded the vehicles and began hurling rocks and bricks.

 * Vehicle Damage: The attack caused significant damage to the presidential vehicle, including smashed windows and a badly cracked windscreen. Video footage released by the presidency showed the motorcade navigating a road lined with people throwing projectiles.

 * Assassination Claim: Environment and Energy Minister Inés Manzano formally filed a report of an assassination attempt, stating that the President’s car showed “signs of bullet damage.” Noboa’s office confirmed that five people have been detained and will be prosecuted under charges of terrorism and attempted assassination.

 * Government Stance: “Shooting at the president’s car, throwing stones, damaging state property—that’s just criminal,” Minister Manzano stated, condemning the attack as unacceptable in “the new Ecuador.”

Deepening Crisis Over Fuel Subsidies

The attack is the latest, and most violent, expression of public anger over the government’s decision to remove diesel subsidies—a move intended to reduce public spending but which critics fear will sharply increase the cost of living for many Ecuadorians, particularly small-scale farmers and Indigenous communities.

Key Points on the Unrest:

 * Indigenous Federation Involvement: The protests are largely spearheaded by the powerful national Indigenous federation, CONAIE, which has been leading strikes and road blockades for over two weeks.

 * Counter-Allegations: CONAIE denied that there was an organised attack on the motorcade. They instead claimed that their members were subjected to “brutal police and military action,” alleging that the five individuals detained were protesters who were arbitrarily arrested.

 * Wider Instability: The unrest comes amid broader efforts by the Noboa administration to address the country’s severe instability, which includes a declared state of emergency in several provinces to combat both rising crime and drug-related violence. The President’s focus on maintaining law and order is now directly clashing with a surging wave of social unrest.