Ecuador President Noboa Survives Multiple Verified Poisoning Attempts Amid Protests

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has survived multiple alleged assassination attempts amid rising political unrest and protests, including a recent attempt involving toxic substances found in gifts of jam and chocolate. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of three highly concentrated harmful chemicals in these products, which Noboa asserts could not have been accidental, prompting a formal complaint to the prosecutor's office. This follows earlier incidents where his motorcade was attacked with stones and gunfire during protests led by the indigenous group Conaie, who oppose government policies such as the removal of diesel subsidies. Noboa, who has adopted a hardline stance against narcotics trafficking and aims to implement constitutional reforms to combat crime, faces growing opposition from indigenous groups and civil activists. A national referendum scheduled for November 16 may decide on the government's security measures, including the potential hosting of foreign troops and a U.S. naval base on Ecuadorian soil. While some critics question the authenticity of the assassination attempts, Noboa insists the threats are real and uses these events to highlight the increasing violence linked to political challenges and organized crime in Ecuador.