The President of Ecuador has been attacked by a mob of furious protesters in response to diesel prices across the country.
Nationwide protests have been taking place across Ecuador this week after the government announced that it would remove diesel subsidies.
President Daniel Noboa and his team were targeted by protesters who threw rocks at his car, with some reports claiming that his vehicle suffered bullet damage.
Mr Noboa was travelling in the southern Cañar province when he encountered around 500 frustrated demonstrators.
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The environment and energy minister, Ines Manzano, reported that the vehicle showed "signs of bullet damage".
In a statement, Ms Manzano said: "Shooting at the president's car, throwing stones, damaging state property — that's just criminal. We will not allow this."
She confirmed that five people had been arrested and would be prosecuted for terrorism and attempted assassination.
Tensions have been raised in Ecuador for the last two weeks after a fuel subsidy was removed by President Noboa's government.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa was targeted by violent protesters this week
|REUTERS
This sent the price of diesel soaring, jumping from $1.80 (£1.34) per gallon to $2.80 (£2.08).
It comes as President Noboa takes drastic measures to slash government spending and save money.
The demonstrations have been organised by indigenous groups to protest the government's cost-cutting measures.
Government officials have been met with calls of "diesel goes up, everything goes up" and "out with Noboa".
President Noboa after his vehicle was attacked by protesters
|REUTERS
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Protesters have been targeting President Noboa and his government after he cut diesel subsidies
|REUTERS
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) have previously rallied against the government for attempting to remove diesel subsidies.
Protests across the nation have prompted the government to declare a state of emergency in 10 provinces across the country.
President Noboa, who has been in power since 2023, declared a 60-day state of emergency in September in a bid to crack down on the protests.
In statements posted on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, the President of Ecuador's official account explained why he was removing the diesel subsidy.
Aftermath of the attack on President Noboa's vehicle
|REUTERS
It stated: "For years, the diesel subsidy benefited smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal mining. President Daniel Noboa made a historic decision: to stop benefiting criminal economies.
"For decades, the diesel subsidy represented a $1.1billion burden on fiscal accounts, without truly reaching those who needed it."
In recent posts, Mr Noboa issued a warning to anyone planning to protest against the government and its cost-cutting measures.
"To those who choose violence, the law awaits them. To those who act like criminals, they will be treated as criminals," he wrote on X.