Noboa unharmed as convoy attacked

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa escaped unharmed after his motorcade was targeted by stone-hurling protestors and what one minister described as a volley of gunshots on Tuesday.

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Mr Noboa was inaugurating a water treatment plant in central Ecuador when his motorcade was set on by a large group protesting rising fuel prices.

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

She said that five people were arrested and would stand trial on terrorism charges — an offense carrying a maximum punishment of 30 years behind bars.

“This kind of protests, which are not peaceful, are not what we need,” Ms Manzano added.

Video released by the government, reportedly filmed from inside the motorcade, shows protesters standing in the road, draped in flags, scrambling to collect large stones and bricks.