Ecuador’s President escapes death after gun attack on convoy

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa escaped unharmed on Tuesday after what appeared to be a gun attack on his motorcade, a senior government official confirmed.

According to Environment Minister Ines Manzano, the incident occurred while the president was inaugurating a water treatment plant in central Ecuador. His convoy reportedly came under attack from hundreds of protesters, leading to chaos at the scene.

About “500 people showed up and were throwing stones at him, and there are obviously bullet marks on the president’s car as well,” she said.

“Thank God, our president, very firm, brave, keeps moving forward, is carrying out his agenda as usual,” she added.

The government released video, purportedly taken from inside the motorcade, that showed protestors draped in flags scrambling to find rocks and bricks to hurl as the presidential vehicle passed.

“Cover your head! Cover your head!” a voice is heard saying as projectiles thudded into an SUV, shattering at least one window.

Ecuador has faced days of sometimes violent protests over a move to raise diesel prices.

The government has accused cartels who are vying for control of cocaine trading routes of being behind the unrest.

(AFP)