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The nation's leader Daniel Noboa came out without injury after his presidential motorcade was attacked by rock-hurling demonstrators and what officials characterized as potential shots.
The president was opening a water purification facility in central Ecuador when his motorcade was set upon by a sizeable crowd demonstrating against rising fuel prices.
About 500 people appeared and were hurling rocks at him, and there are clearly gunshot impacts on the official vehicle
commented Ecuador's environment minister.
Officials confirmed that five individuals were detained and would face court proceedings on terrorism accusations – an offense carrying a maximum punishment of three decades in prison.
Recorded material released by the administration depicts protesters positioned in the street, covered in banners, scrambling to gather large stones and bricks.
When the official vehicle drove by, objects thudded into the exterior and broke windows.
Someone could be heard yelling: "Duck! Get down!" as the vehicle accelerated from the scene.
Officials indicated they were still investigating whether certain of the impact marks on the president's protected vehicle were caused by bullet impacts.
The alleged incident occurred amid days of increasingly violent protests triggered by a administration's move to increase diesel prices.
Demonstrators have initiated work stoppages, blocked roads and abducted 16 soldiers – who were eventually released unharmed.
Ecuador's biggest native group reported that a protester had been killed by security personnel during a the protests.
More than 100 people, including protesters and law enforcement, are believed to have been injured in the unrest.
The president has imposed a emergency measures across multiple provinces.
The presidential administration said on social media after the incident that "such actions will not deter" the leader.
The head of the Organization of American States commented that "such violent acts are an attack on democratic principles, peace, and the principle of peaceful coexistence that must prevail in our nations."
Noboa is trying to reduce diesel subsidies to conserve about one billion dollars in public expenditure, redirecting a significant portion of the savings to safety initiatives.
The nation, once considered one of the region's safest countries, has seen a dramatic surge in criminal activity in recent years.
Strategically located between Colombia and Peru, both the planet's biggest cocaine producers, Ecuador has become a major transit hub for narcotics.
Officials have alleged cartels of exacerbating the unrest, implying that illegal organizations are exploiting the demonstrations to disrupt the country.
It is estimated that seventy percent of the world's illegal drug market transits via Ecuador, much of it destined for the United States.
This business has attracted global crime syndicates, including Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, Italy's 'Ndrangheta, and Albanian criminal networks.
The rivalry for dominance of smuggling corridors has transformed Ecuador into one of the region's most dangerous locations.
Noboa has called for a referendum to allow the return of US troops to the nation, overturning a previous restriction on international military installations.
Elara is a seasoned journalist and digital content creator with a passion for uncovering stories that matter.
Rita Davis
Rita Davis