President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador has stated that he was the target of an attempted poisoning, claiming that three highly concentrated toxic substances were discovered in gifts he received. Noboa expressed confidence that his team possesses evidence to support this assertion, although he has not yet publicly disclosed it.
Speaking to CNN, the South American leader remarked that it seemed “practically impossible” for these chemicals to be present in such high concentrations in the gifts by mere coincidence.
These accusations emerge amidst significant political unrest in Ecuador, marked by widespread protests against a recent increase in fuel prices, implemented under Noboa’s presidency. While Noboa has taken a strong stance against drug gangs with military-led crackdowns, he has also faced criticism for allegedly targeting protesters.
Noboa has refuted suggestions that these claims of attempted attacks on his life—reportedly the third in two months—are being used to portray his opponents as violent. He drew parallels to previous incidents, stating, “No one throws a Molotov cocktail at themselves… or poisons themselves with chocolate, or throws stones at themselves.”
Earlier in October, the Ecuadorian government reported the detention of five individuals in connection with an alleged assassination attempt. The energy and environment minister noted that the president’s vehicle showed signs of bullet damage and that approximately 500 individuals had thrown rocks at the car, though Noboa himself was unharmed. The BBC has not independently verified the claim of a bullet being fired.
Additionally, in late September, a humanitarian convoy transporting Noboa was reportedly ambushed, resulting in the capture of 17 soldiers. Officials stated that the convoy, which included diplomats from the UN and EU, was attacked with Molotov cocktails by approximately 350 people while en route to deliver aid to communities affected by a national strike. Noboa shared images of damaged vehicles on social media.
The national strike, organized by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) to protest the removal of diesel subsidies, concluded on Thursday after several weeks. Conaie, a powerful Indigenous organization known for its role in overthrowing three presidents between 1997 and 2005, led the demonstrations, which involved marches and road blockades.