Ecuador's leader Daniel Noboa emerged unharmed following his official motorcade was attacked by rock-hurling demonstrators and what authorities characterized as potential shots.
Noboa was opening a water treatment plant in central Ecuador when his convoy was attacked by a large group demonstrating against rising energy costs.
Approximately 500 people showed up and were throwing stones at him, and there are clearly gunshot impacts on the official vehicle
commented the country's environmental official.
Authorities confirmed that five individuals were arrested and would face trial on terrorism accusations – an crime carrying a maximum punishment of three decades in jail.
Recorded material released by the administration shows protesters positioned in the road, covered in flags, scrambling to gather sizeable rocks and building blocks.
As the presidential SUV passed, objects slammed into the paneling and broke glass.
Someone could be heard yelling: "Duck! Heads down!" as the car sped away.
Authorities indicated they were continuing to examine whether some of the impact marks on the president's armored vehicle were caused by bullet impacts.
The alleged attack occurred amid days of increasingly violent demonstrations sparked by a administration's move to increase fuel costs.
Demonstrators have gone on strike, obstructed highways and abducted 16 soldiers – who were subsequently released unharmed.
Ecuador's biggest native group reported that a demonstrator had been fatally injured by security personnel during a the rallies.
Over one hundred individuals, including demonstrators and security services, are thought to have been injured in the violence.
The president has declared a emergency measures across multiple regions.
Noboa's office said on social media after the attack that "such actions will not stop" the leader.
A senior official of the regional organization commented that "such violent acts are an attack on democratic principles, stability, and the spirit of harmonious living that must prevail in our societies."
Noboa is trying to reduce fuel support to save about one billion dollars in public expenditure, diverting a significant portion of the savings to safety initiatives.
Ecuador, previously regarded one of the region's safest countries, has seen a significant increase in criminal activity in recent years.
Strategically located between two neighboring countries, both the world's largest cocaine producers, Ecuador has become a significant transit hub for illegal drugs.
Authorities have accused drug gangs of fueling the protests, suggesting that illegal organizations are exploiting the demonstrations to disrupt the nation.
It is estimated that seventy percent of the world's illegal drug market transits via Ecuador, much of it destined for the US.
The trade has attracted global crime syndicates, including Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, Italian mafia groups, and Albania's mafia.
The rivalry for control of trafficking routes has turned the nation into one of the area's highest-risk locations.
The president has called for a referendum to allow the return of US troops to the country, repealing a previous restriction on foreign bases.
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