On October 24, Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa said that he had been assassinated by an unidentified person with chocolate and jams seasoned with toxic chemicals, given at a public event.
According to Mr. Noboa, the test results detected 3 types of toxins "with unusually high levels" in these gifts and confirmed that "this cannot be a coincidence".
Mr. Noboa also emphasized that the investigation team has evidence to prove this claim.
Ecuador's 37-year-old leader said the toxins could not come from the products themselves or their packaging. The military agency in charge of the President's security has filed a complaint with the prosecution.
This is the second time Mr. Noboa's administration has accused him of an assassination attempt, in the context of Ecuador facing protests from local people and escalating crime.
Earlier this month, the government said Mr. Noboa's vehicle had bullet marks after his convoy was rocked by a group of protesterers for protesting rising fuel prices.
Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo called it "an unsuccessful assassination", although authorities have not yet found physical evidence such as bullet shells at the scene. Mr. Noboa was not injured.
At the time, Ecuador's largest indigenous organization, Conaie, blocked many roads, including in Pichincha province, where the capital Quito is located, since September 22 to protest rising fuel costs.
Some experts say that the assassination plot allegations could be Mr. Noboa's attempt to describe the protester as violence to strengthen his political position.
In response, Mr. Noboa said: "No one should plant petrol bombs on themselves or intoxicate themselves with chocolate, or throw rocks at themselves."
The president is preparing for a November 16 public consultation, hoping to pave the way for drafting a new constitution with stronger measures against drug crimes.
Ecuador, once one of the safest countries in Latin America, has now become a major drug transit point between leading producers such as Colombia and Peru with consumers around the world.
Ecuador's socio-economic situation has also been less optimistic, with the homicides soaring, while car bombings, assassinations and slaughter in prison have become more frequent.
