"The presidential motorcade advanced on Tuesday along the rocky, dusty road of Sigsihuayco, a rural community perched in the Andean mountains of El Tambo, in the province of Canar. At the front, a military tank led the way, followed by at least six armored vehicles carrying the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa. From the start, the air was thick with tension."
"On both sides of the path, dozens of gathered demonstrators unleashed their anger against the convoy. From both flanks, locals began hurling stones of various sizes. Others showed their fury by striking the black car bodies with sticks, while windows splintered, their shattering sound frightening the presidential staff inside, who recorded the attack on video. In those images, released hours later by the government, the largest stones can be seen shattering the bulletproof windows of the official vehicles."
"The convoy did not stop, but the scene exposed the violence into which rural discontent has degenerated fueled by a growing list of demands: the repeal of the decree that removed the fuel subsidy, the reduction of VAT from 15% to 12% (as it was before Noboa came to power), the resupply of hospitals without medicines, and a long-unanswered cry for security."
President Daniel Noboa traveled to rural El Tambo escorted by a military tank and multiple armored vehicles as demonstrators attacked his motorcade. Protesters hurled stones, struck vehicles, and shattered windows, frightening presidential staff and prompting video documentation. The unrest stems from demands including reinstating fuel subsidies, reducing VAT from 15% to 12%, resupplying hospitals, and improving public security. Government efforts have included heavy military deployments, personal appearances by the president, and promises of economic aid, public works, and social programs. Despite those measures and local project announcements, the visits have failed to defuse tensions and exposed deep rural discontent.
Read at english.elpais.com
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