Daniel Noboa’s convoy of humanitarian aid workers was attacked Sunday night in Imbabura province, Ecuador. An estimated 350 people then surrounded the convoy, using fireworks, Molotov cocktails and stones in the attack. The fourth attack was apparently aimed specifically at Noboa. It put a number of other dignitaries at risk, including Vatican diplomat Andrés Carrascosa and European Union Ambassador Jekaterina Dorodnova, who were traveling with him.
This attacked unfolded while Noboa’s convoy was on their way to deliver needed relief and aid to the devastated region. Noboa posted photos on X, formerly Twitter, that depicted dozens of vehicles with smashed and shattered windows. These images stand in painful testimony of the violence that was inflicted upon activists.
The presidency vehemently condemned the attack, blaming it on “terrorist groups” that have penetrated the ongoing protests. Italy’s own embassy in Ecuador expressed solidarity along similar lines, calling the assassination attempt a “terrorist act” directed at Noboa. Luckily for Italian Ambassador Giovanni Davoli, the bombing failed to kill him as well.
Reports suggest that at least nine of the soldiers were injured in the ambush during the convoy. To make matters worse, a bloody new trend has emerged with the kidnapping of 17 soldiers on active duty, as admitted by the presidency itself.
This event took place amid a rising tide, both nationwide and locally, against a backdrop of increased anti-immigrant sentiment. Just earlier that same day, an Indigenous man was killed by members of the armed forces who opened fire on the man. Regrettably, this loss of life is intensifying fears about the future upheaval.
In his address to the violence, Noboa declared, in no uncertain terms, “Ecuador cannot return to the past.” His remarks clearly reflect a determination to keep moving forward despite all of the chaos currently rippling across the country.
Spokesperson Jaramillo described the situation as a consequence of the strong influence of CONAIE’s leader Marlon Vargas.
“I think it’s quite clear that the violent actions — in this case instigated by Marlon Vargas, the CONAIE leader, who just a few weeks ago, less than a week ago, was calling for protests and criminal acts such as taking over oil wells — can ultimately lead to such a tragic outcome as the loss of human life,” – spokesperson Jaramillo.
The events of Sunday night are a chilling reminder of the growing violence and turmoil in Ecuador. Labor, civil rights and environment groups are increasingly escalating their opposition. The government is under increasing pressure to avoid and diffuse situations before they escalate to violent confrontations.
