Ecuador’s President Claims Foiled Poisoning Attempt with Chocolates and Jam
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has made a startling revelation: a plot to poison him through gifts of chocolate and jam. In an interview with CNN, Noboa detailed how three potent toxic substances were allegedly placed in these treats, asserting that his team possesses evidence to back this claim, although it has not yet been made public. He raised concerns about the randomness of such high concentrations of chemicals appearing in the food, describing it as nearly impossible by chance.
Context Behind the Poisoning Allegation
This shocking announcement comes amid escalating social unrest in Ecuador, primarily driven by a considerable increase in fuel prices since Noboa assumed office. To address the rising tensions, the center-right leader has deployed military forces against drug gangs while also facing accusations of stifling protests. Noboa has rebuffed the idea that the three recent assassination attempts were merely strategies to discredit his critics, emphasizing, “No one throws a Molotov cocktail at themselves… or poisons themselves with chocolate.”
Earlier this month, Ecuadorian authorities arrested five individuals allegedly linked to an assassination conspiracy. Reports indicate that a crowd of approximately 500 people threw rocks at Noboa’s vehicle, raising questions about security; officials noted signs of bullet damage, although this has yet to be verified independently. Additionally, a humanitarian convoy he was part of faced a violent ambush, leading to a hostage crisis involving 17 soldiers during a national strike.
This strike, orchestrated by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), protested the government’s decision to eliminate diesel subsidies, featuring organized marches and roadblocks. Conaie has a notable history of shaping Ecuadorian politics, having previously played key roles in the ousting of three presidents between 1997 and 2005.
As Ecuador grapples with this turbulent atmosphere, Noboa’s claims of a foiled poisoning attempt highlight the mounting complexities of his leadership during these challenging times.