Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa survived after hundreds of protesters demonstrating against recent fuel price hikes attacked on his motorcade on Tuesday with gunfire.
Environment Minister Ines Manzano said that approximately 500 protesters surrounded the president’s motorcade, with gunshots and pelted throwing stones and other projectiles.
“There were bullet holes on the president’s car,” Manzano confirmed, adding, “Thank God, our president is strong and courageous — he continues to move forward and carry out his agenda as usual.”
The government released a video clip purportedly filmed inside the motorcade, showing demonstrators wrapped in flags gathering stones and bricks to hurl at the vehicles. In the footage, voices can be heard shouting, “Cover your head! Cover your head!” as projectiles strike the SUV, shattering at least one window, according to news reports.
Ecuador has been rocked by days of violent demonstrations following the government’s decision to raise diesel prices, a move that has sparked widespread anger among citizens.
Authorities have accused drug trafficking gangs, which are battling for control of major cocaine smuggling routes, of exploiting the unrest to fuel chaos and destabilize the country.
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