The nation's leader Daniel Noboa emerged without injury after his official convoy was attacked by stone-throwing protesters and what officials characterized as potential shots.
Noboa was opening a water treatment plant in the country's central region when his convoy was attacked by a large group protesting against rising fuel prices.
Approximately 500 people appeared and were throwing stones at him, and there are clearly gunshot impacts on the official vehicle
commented the country's environment minister.
Officials reported that five people were arrested and would stand court proceedings on terrorism charges – an crime carrying a highest penalty of 30 years in jail.
Recorded material released by the administration depicts demonstrators standing in the street, covered in banners, scrambling to collect large stones and bricks.
When the official vehicle drove by, projectiles thudded into the exterior and broke glass.
Someone could be audible shouting: "Heads down! Heads down!" as the vehicle accelerated from the scene.
Officials indicated they were still investigating whether some of the impact marks on Noboa's protected vehicle were caused by bullet impacts.
This reported attack came amid days of increasingly violent protests sparked by a government decision to increase diesel prices.
Protesters have gone on strike, blocked roads and abducted 16 soldiers – who were subsequently released unharmed.
The country's biggest Indigenous organization reported that a protester had been killed by armed forces during a the protests.
More than one hundred individuals, including demonstrators and security services, are believed to have been hurt in the unrest.
Noboa has imposed a state of emergency across multiple provinces.
Noboa's office said on social media following the attack that "such actions will not deter" the leader.
A senior official of the Organization of American States commented that "such violent acts are an attack on democracy, peace, and the principle of peaceful coexistence that must dominate in our nations."
The recently re-elected president is attempting to cut diesel subsidies to save about $1bn in public expenditure, diverting a significant portion of the savings to security funding.
Ecuador, once considered one of the region's safest nations, has experienced a dramatic surge in criminal activity in recent years.
Positioned between two neighboring countries, both the planet's biggest cocaine producers, the country has transformed into a significant transportation center for illegal drugs.
Officials have accused drug gangs of exacerbating the unrest, implying that illegal organizations are taking advantage of the demonstrations to disrupt the nation.
It is estimated that 70% of the world's cocaine supply transits via Ecuador, much of it headed for the United States.
The trade has drawn global crime syndicates, including Mexican drug cartels, Italy's 'Ndrangheta, and Albanian criminal networks.
The rivalry for dominance of trafficking routes has turned the nation into one of the area's most dangerous places.
The president has proposed a public vote to permit the return of US troops to the country, repealing a previous restriction on international military installations.
Escritora y analista cultural con experiencia en medios internacionales, apasionada por explorar cómo las ideas locales impactan en el mundo.
