Shots Fired at Ecuadorian Presidential Procession During Indigenous Protests
Quito, Ecuador – Gunshots were fired at teh vehicle carrying Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Wednesday, May 15th, during indigenous-led demonstrations against government austerity measures, officials confirmed. Noboa was unharmed in the incident, which occurred as his motorcade traveled through the city of Guayaquil.
The attack underscores the escalating tensions between the government and indigenous groups protesting President Noboa’s efforts to cut diesel subsidies and address a deepening economic crisis fueled by drug-related violence. Indigenous communities, representing nearly 8% of Ecuador’s 17 million inhabitants – though some studies suggest the figure is as high as 25% – are notably vulnerable to the economic impacts of these policies. Noboa, seeking to save approximately $1 billion in public spending and fund a crackdown on organized crime, faces a critical juncture ahead of his re-election bid in 2025.
According to reports, the shooting took place amidst a larger demonstration organized by indigenous organizations protesting the government’s economic policies. The president’s office stated that an examination is underway to identify the perpetrators.
Ecuador has become a focal point for drug trafficking due to its location between Colombia and Peru, the world’s largest cocaine producers, and its strategic Pacific ports. In 2024, President Noboa ordered the military to take control of prisons and deploy troops to the streets in response to a surge in violence linked to these criminal networks. The country is currently grappling with a state of emergency as it attempts to contain the escalating crisis.
