Several hundred people are reported to have shown up when the cortege was on its way to an event in the centrally located Cañar. Several of them are said to have thrown stones at the vehicles.
According to the Minister of the Environment, Inés Manzano, "there are also clear traces of bullets on the president's car". Noboa is said to have escaped unharmed.
We thank god that our president, with great determination and courage, continues forward and implements his agenda as planned, says Manzano.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The suspected shooting occurs after days of sometimes violent protests against a proposal to raise diesel prices in the country. The government, however, accuses drug cartels, which are fighting for control of the narcotics market in the country, of being behind the unrest.
