Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa survives alleged assassination attempt
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has survived an alleged assassination attempt, the country’s energy minister has revealed, after a terrifying incident caught on camera.
The President was scheduled to speak in the Cañar province on Tuesday to announce a string of new infrastructure projects, when his car was reportedly surrounded by around 500 people who began throwing objects at his vehicle.
Minister Ines Manzano confirmed the President was now safe and unharmed.
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In a statement after the incident, Ms Manzano claimed there were signs of bullet damage on the vehicle.
“Shooting at the president’s car, throwing stones, damaging state property — that’s just criminal,” she said.
“We will not allow this.”
In a statement released on social media, Mr Noboa’s presidential office said perpetrators will be prosecuted for “terrorism and attempted murder”.
“Obeying orders to radicalise, they attacked a presidential motorcade carrying civilians. They attempted to forcibly prevent the delivery of a project intended to improve the lives of a community,” the statement said.
“All those arrested will be prosecuted for terrorism and attempted murder.”
Alongside the statement, published in Spanish, the office shared video of the President’s car racing away from danger as locals threw large rocks, smashing his vehicle.
Five people have so far been arrested according to Ms Manzano.
