ABC
The Ecuadorian government denounces the assassination attempt on Noboa
The governments of Panama, Colombia, Peru and Costa Rica and the secretary general of the Organization of American States condemned the attack on the caravan carrying Ecuador's president Daniel Noboa on Tuesday, October 7, as he headed to an event to deliver works in the southern Cañar province. Meanwhile, the country is on the sixteenth day of a national strike called by Conaie in opposition to the elimination of the diesel subsidy, keeping the national mood tense. "I strongly condemn the attack on the president's caravan and express my solidarity," wrote Alberto Ramdin, OAS secretary general, on X. The diplomat described the incident as an attack on democracy, stability and peaceful coexistence. The region's governments issued statements. This Tuesday saw moments of distress when, after noon, Energy and Environment Minister Inés Manzano went to the General State Prosecutor's Office to file a complaint of attempted murder against Noboa; and when she disclosed that the presidential caravan had been attacked by at least 500 people in El Tambo canton, in Cañar province, as the president was heading to a community to deliver works. Manzano told reporters five people were apprehended by the National Police. "These are the most important 24 hours of this assassination attempt," she said. The attack on the caravan did not stop Noboa from continuing with his schedule and he arrived at the Sigsihuico community to deliver a potable water system. Addressing the attendees, the president said it is time to fight for development, but in a peaceful and intelligent manner. "Do not follow the bad example of those who along the way tried to stop us from being with you and attempted to assault us," he said, raising concern among the attendees. "We will not allow a few vandals to prevent us from working for you," he added. The Indigenous Strike: On Tuesday the 16th day of the national strike, focused on Sierra provinces with greater indigenous presence, has affected the production chain due to road closures and the inability to move goods. Flower growers, ranchers and the tourism sector have reported that protesters have entered farms to force workers to leave their posts and join the protests. It is common for strikes to have a large impact in Quito, but this time it has been different. Noboa's temporary relocation of the government seat to Latacunga prevented the indigenous march from reaching the capital, despite Conaie president Marlon Vargas saying he would do so. The announcement was seen as a threat by the indigenous leader and drew reactions not only from the capital's authorities but from all social sectors, who rejected it strongly. No one has forgotten the damage caused by the 2019 and 2022 protests during the Moreno and Lasso administrations, which left deaths, injuries and significant economic losses. Late Tuesday it was reported that the five detainees in the Noboa caravan attack will be prosecuted for attempted murder of the president, and Article 341 of the Organic Integral Penal Code (COIP) will be applied, carrying a prison sentence of ten to thirteen years.
