Attack on Ecuador's President Sparks Fury Over Fuel Hikes

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa's car got mobbed by about 500 angry protesters in Canar province on Tuesday. They threw rocks and, according to officials, even fired shots at the vehicle as he headed to a local event. Luckily, Noboa wasn't hurt, but the car ended up with cracked windows, a smashed windshield, and what the government calls clear signs of bullet damage.

Environment and Energy Minister Ines Manzano didn't hold back when she reported it to prosecutors, calling it nothing short of an assassination attempt. "Shooting at the president's car, chucking stones, wrecking public property – that's straight-up criminal," she said. Five people have been arrested, and Noboa's team says they'll be hit with terrorism and attempted murder charges.

Later that day, speaking to students in the nearby city of Cuenca, Noboa fired back: "Do not follow the bad example of those who tried to stop us... Such attacks will not be accepted in the new Ecuador. The law applies to everyone."

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This ugly clash comes after more than two weeks of protests organized by Ecuador's powerful Indigenous group, CONAIE. They've been marching, blocking roads, and striking ever since Noboa signed an order in mid-September to cut diesel subsidies. For small farmers and Indigenous families who rely on affordable fuel to get by, it's a tough hit – it means higher costs for everything from food to transport. "We need real talks, not just decrees that make life harder," CONAIE leaders have been saying.

The government, though, sees it differently. They argue scrapping the subsidies will save $1.1 billion a year, which they're already handing out as cash help to truckers, farmers, and others feeling the pinch. Noboa, who won re-election in April with his no-nonsense stance on crime, has leaned hard on the military and police, declaring emergencies in several areas to keep things from boiling over.

But CONAIE isn't backing down. They say the real violence came from the cops and soldiers, who they accuse of roughing up peaceful crowds – even dragging away elderly women in traditional clothing. A video they shared on social media shows just that: officers in riot gear hauling off a protester. "At least five of our people were grabbed without reason," the group posted.

Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo tried to rally spirits, sharing a photo of the 37-year-old Noboa checking out his banged-up ride while wearing shades. "Nothing's gonna stop this president – and that means nothing's stopping Ecuador," he wrote.

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As the sun sets, another big anti-government march is kicking off in Quito tonight at 6 p.m. With roads blocked and tensions high in this oil-dependent country tucked in the Andes, it's clear the fight over money, rights, and security is far from over. People just want a fair shake, but right now, it feels like everyone's on edge.