FIVE people have been arrested following an alleged assassination attempt on Tuesday targeting Ecuador’s right-wing President Daniel Noboa, according to the country’s Environment and Energy Minister Ines Manzano.

The attack, which allegedly involved about 500 people surrounding the president’s vehicle and throwing rocks, took place in the south-central province of Canar.

Signs of bullet damage were later found on the car, according to the minister, but Mr Noboa was not hurt in the attack.

It took place as right-wing President Noboa arrived in the canton of El Tambo for an event about water treatment and sewage.

Ms Manzano told the press that she has filed a report alleging an assassination attempt had taken place.

She said: “Shooting at the president’s car, throwing stones, damaging state property — that’s just criminal.

“We will not allow this.”

A statement from the president’s office said: “Obeying orders to radicalise, they attacked a presidential motorcade carrying civilians.

“They attempted to forcibly prevent the delivery of a project intended to improve the lives of a community.”

Ms Manzano said: “All those arrested will be prosecuted for terrorism and attempted murder.”

Mr Noboa, Ecuador’s youngest-ever president, was re-elected in April after a run-off election against left-wing rival Luisa Gonzalez.