Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s vehicle was attacked on Tuesday as his convoy travelled through Cañar province, where protesters demonstrating against the government’s decision to lift fuel subsidies threw rocks and other objects at his car.

Environment and Energy Minister Inés Manzano said the president was unharmed, though the vehicle showed “possible bullet damage.” Authorities later confirmed that five individuals had been detained in connection with the incident, which officials described as an attempted assassination.

Noboa’s office said those arrested would face charges of terrorism and attempted murder. It remains unclear whether shots were actually fired, as the reports have not been independently verified.

Speaking later at a university event in the nearby city of Cuenca, Noboa condemned the attack and urged citizens to reject violence.

“Those who tried to stop us through aggression represent the past,” he said. “The law applies equally to everyone in Ecuador.”

Minister Manzano called the incident “criminal behaviour,” saying the government would not tolerate attacks against state officials or property.

The country’s main Indigenous organisation, CONAIE, accused security forces of responding with excessive violence against demonstrators gathered for Noboa’s visit. It claimed elderly women were among those injured and at least five people were detained “arbitrarily” during clashes with police and the military.

Protests over fuel subsidy removal

Tensions have risen across Ecuador since the government announced in mid-September that it would end long-standing diesel subsidies. The move, officials say, will save about $1.1 billion a year — money that will instead be redirected to social and agricultural support programmes.

Opponents, led by Ecuador's largest indigenous rights organisation, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), argue that removing subsidies will sharply raise living costs, particularly for farmers and Indigenous communities. The group has staged nationwide demonstrations and road blockades for more than two weeks.

President Noboa, who was re-elected earlier this year, has taken a firm stance on maintaining order, granting emergency powers to the armed forces and police in several provinces.

Photographs released by the presidency showed the 37-year-old leader standing beside a vehicle with shattered windows. Defence Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo shared the images on social media, writing that “nothing stops this president — and nothing will stop Ecuador.”

A fresh protest march was scheduled to take place in the capital, Quito, later on Tuesday evening.

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