The incoming President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, just faced his first major test on Tuesday. Protesters pelted his motorcade with stones, burning and looting the cars in his convoy. The incident, which occurred during a public engagement, has highlighted the ongoing tensions within the country since Noboa was sworn in for his first full term in May. The capital’s mayor, however, escaped serious injury from the assault, and five suspects were arrested by police after the attack.
In April, Noboa won the presidential run-off election – age 35, he became Ecuador’s youngest-ever president – defeating his left-wing rival Luisa Gonzalez. In addition to this week’s protests, this president has been greeted by huge protests since taking office. His administration has been criticized for their spate of crime-fighting measures and regressive social policy initiatives. Crimefighting became the centerpiece of Noboa’s campaign. His administration claims such subsidies have been abused to facilitate smuggling and other illicit cross-border trade activities.
The attack on Noboa’s motorcade follows a swell of frustration and anger among parts of the Ecuadorian public. After his electoral victory, Gonzalez called for a recount, raising the political tension even higher. The president’s office specifically accused opposition leaders of conspiring to assassinate him, plunging any hope for his safety further into darkness.
Following the attack, Noboa’s office issued a statement condemning the act of violence.
“Obeying orders to radicalise, they attacked a presidential motorcade carrying civilians. They attempted to forcibly prevent the delivery of a project intended to improve the lives of a community,” – The president’s office.
The government behind the bill thinks the protests are more than just opposition. They view these moves as an extension of a broader attempt to delegitimize governance and destabilize the current administration and overall stability in Ecuador.
His administration has already drawn criticism for terminating a fuel subsidy that most Ecuadorians think benefits lower-income families. Yet, they argue pretty persuasively that reallocating these resources is necessary for combatting crime and corruption. Meanwhile, as a matter of equity, critics contend that repealing this subsidy would have a negative impact on disproportionately vulnerable populations.
Ines Manzano, a local activist, weighed in on the situation, stating:
“Shooting at the president’s car, throwing stones, damaging state property — that’s just criminal.”
Frustration is bubbling over among citizens at the state of violence in our communities. They express concern about the likelihood of more unrest to come.
Noboa’s government has already struggled against mass protests since taking office, a testament to the historical and social issues at play, with many groups seeing their interests aligned. The administration is clearly aware of these obstacles, but is undeterred in its pursuit of an ambitious agenda.
“The people are not the enemy,” – The president’s office.
This description does a disservice to the difference between dissent and threatened violence. It further reinforces the necessity of continuing an open conversation with the public.
As Ecuador continues to chart a course through these unsteady waters, President Noboa’s mettle will surely be put to the test. He will need to be tough on crime, but smart on social policy. We can’t overstate the importance of developing this approach for restoring public trust and producing national stability. Greener pastures Negotiations have escalated, and the next few weeks will be pivotal. Whether his government rises to meet these challenges or whether unrest continues to spiral out of control remains to be seen.
