In brief
Ecuador's government reported that five people have been arrested following an alleged assassination attempt on President Daniel Noboa. The incident occurred during violent protests where demonstrators attempted to attack Noboa's vehicle with rocks, resulting in damage. This unrest is tied to a national strike led by the country's largest indigenous organization, protesting against the government's removal of diesel subsidies. Noboa's administration argued that terminating the subsidies is essential for economic reform.
Five people have been detained after an alleged attempted assassination of Ecuador's president, according to the government.
About 500 people threw rocks at the car of President Daniel Noboa, and there were signs of bullet damage on his vehicle, according to the country's energy and environment minister, who added that Noboa was not hurt.
A video, shared with the BBC by the president's office, shows protesters throwing rocks at a car, and three small holes in one of the car windows. The BBC has not independently confirmed that a bullet was fired.
Conaie, the country's largest indigenous organization which led a national strike, said five of us have been arbitrarily detained.
Noboa's office said those arrested would be charged with offenses of terrorism and attempted assassination.
The country has been rocked by violent clashes and protests for more than two weeks. It started after the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, or Conaie, declared a national strike to protest the government ending diesel subsidies.
They have organized marches and roadblocks.
The government has defended ending the subsidy, which it says will save $1.1 billion a year that can be distributed to small-scale farmers and people in the transport sector.
Last week, President Noboa's convoy was also ambushed by protesters. Noboa was traveling with senior diplomats from the UN, EU, Italy, and the Vatican while delivering aid to affected communities during a national strike. He posted photos of smashed windscreens and windows on the cars in his envoy on social media.
Several members of the armed forces have reportedly been injured, and Conaie said one person has been killed.
Conaie has accused the government of arbitrary detentions and a violent crackdown on protesters, but the government has described the group's actions as criminal. The group led demonstrations that overthrew three presidents between 1997 and 2005.
