• Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa's vehicle was attacked in Cañar province.
• Five individuals have been detained following the incident labeled an assassination attempt.
• Protests erupted over the government's decision to end diesel subsidies, leading to escalating violence.
• CONAIE, the Indigenous federation, claims to be targeted by police violence during the protests.
• Noboa's government has vowed to pursue legal action against the perpetrators.

On October 7th, Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa's motorcade was attacked by a crowd of about 500 protesters in Cañar province, who were throwing rocks and allegedly shooting at the vehicle. Environment and Energy Minister Ines Manzano stated that the vehicle exhibited "signs of bullet damage," although Noboa was unharmed during this incident, prompting the government to label it an assassination attempt. Five individuals have been detained in connection with the attack, according to reports from multiple sources including Reuters, South China Morning Post, and BBC.

The attack occurred while Noboa was en route to an event related to water treatment, and while his government views it as a serious threat, the national Indigenous federation CONAIE claims the violence was instigated against peaceful demonstrators, alleging police brutality including attacks on elderly protesters. CONAIE stated, "At least five of us have been arbitrarily detained," highlighting the contentious climate following the government's recent decision to end diesel subsidies, which had sparked nationwide protests India Times, India Times, and Al Jazeera.

The government has condemned the protest actions as "criminal" while promising legal follow-through against those detained. Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo characterized the attack as "a clear assassination attempt and an act of terrorism against the president," stating that nothing would deter Noboa from engaging with the public TRT Global and TRT Global. Despite the ongoing unrest triggered by fuel price hikes, Noboa's administration insists that ending the diesel subsidy is a necessary measure to redirect funds to essential services, a move that critics argue is burdensome for lower-income families Al Jazeera.