Ecuador’s President Condemns Attack on Motorcade
On Wednesday, President Daniel Novoa’s cabinet strongly denounced the actions of protesters who hurled rocks at his motorcade, labeling it an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, authorities remained tight-lipped about the details of the incident that transpired on Tuesday.
Later that day, the attorney general’s office in Ecuador revealed that a judge had declared the arrests of five suspects unlawful, resulting in their release. The decision was announced on social media, indicating it would impede any prosecution.
Earlier this week, Novoa declared a state of emergency in ten regions following the cessation of fuel subsidies, which ignited two weeks of anti-government protests led by the country’s largest indigenous group. The price of diesel had surged from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon, stirring significant unrest.
In past years, previous administrations had only managed minimal increases in fuel prices after prolonged protests and negotiations with indigenous representatives. Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo expressed concern, stating that the violent nature of the attack indicated a clear assassination plot against the president, calling it an act of terrorism.
The Ecuadorian Federation of Indigenous Peoples, which coordinated the protests, asserted that the president’s motorcade had entered a known protest area, accusing the government of using force against valid grievances. They called for international human rights organizations to monitor the situation closely.
Yaku Perez, a lawyer defending the five arrested individuals, emphasized that there was no concrete link between his clients and the attack, suggesting their innocence had been established.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the violence against Novoa’s convoy and expressed concern about the ongoing protests, urging for a cessation of violence and advocating for peaceful dialogue.
Video footage from El Tambo, a town situated 340 miles south of the capital, Quito, depicted the rock-throwing incident as the motorcade passed through. Debris was strewn across the road, yet the individuals arrested have not faced formal charges.
Energy Minister Ines Manzano claimed the presence of bullet holes in Novoa’s vehicles, but no verification from investigators has confirmed her statement. Upon arriving at an event later that day, Novoa advised onlookers against emulating “those who attempted to attack us today.” He insisted such acts would not be tolerated in “the new Ecuador.”
The US State Department’s Western Hemisphere Bureau expressed its condemnation of the attack on social media, aligning with Ecuador in rejecting all forms of political violence as investigations continue.
Recent clashes between police and indigenous demonstrators over the fuel price hikes resulted in a civilian death and numerous injuries. The police detained nearly 100 individuals during these confrontations, while some demonstrators briefly held military personnel, who were later released.
Notably, Novoa garnered significant support from indigenous communities during his presidential campaign, including those in Cañar province, where the attack occurred.
