A humanitarian convoy led by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa was violently ambushed on Sunday night, resulting in 17 soldiers being taken hostage, according to government spokeswoman Carolina Jaramillo. The convoy, which included UN and European diplomats, was attacked by approximately 350 individuals armed with Molotov cocktails in Cotacachi, Imbabura province. The incident occurred during a national strike organized by Conaie, Ecuador’s largest Indigenous rights organization, in protest against the government’s decision to cut fuel subsidies. President Noboa, who was accompanied by the Italian ambassador and Vatican diplomats, condemned the attack, stating, ‘They resist Ecuador’s progress and chose violence. Ecuador cannot go backward.’ He shared images of the damaged vehicles on social media, emphasizing the severity of the assault. The Ecuadorian armed forces accused the attackers of being ‘terrorist groups’ and reported that 12 soldiers were injured in the clash. Meanwhile, Conaie claimed that one of its members, Efrain Fuerez, was shot three times and died in hospital, describing his death as a ‘state crime’ ordered by President Noboa. The organization denied any involvement in terrorism, asserting that ‘the true terror is imposed by the government with its repression.’ The UN Human Rights Council’s regional representative, Jan Jarab, called for an ‘urgent dialogue’ and a thorough investigation into the violence. Ecuador’s prosecutors’ office has announced it will probe the alleged death of Fuerez. In response to the escalating unrest, a state of emergency has been declared in eight provinces, with a nighttime curfew imposed in five. President Noboa has accused the Venezuelan cartel Tren de Aragua of orchestrating the demonstrations and warned that protesters breaking the law could face 30-year prison sentences for terrorism. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing protests, which have already led to violent clashes across the country.