Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa says someone tried to poison him using chocolate and jam laced with three toxic substances — an allegation adding new tension to an already volatile political climate.

In an interview with CNN, Noboa said his team had proof of the poisoning attempt, calling it “practically impossible” that the substances appeared by chance. He has not yet released public evidence.

The claim follows weeks of violent protests over fuel price hikes and the government’s decision to end diesel subsidies, triggering a national strike led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) — the same group that helped topple three presidents between 1997 and 2005.

This is reportedly the third alleged attempt on Noboa’s life in two months. Earlier in October, his convoy was attacked by hundreds of protesters, and in September, a humanitarian convoy carrying UN and EU diplomats was ambushed, with 17 soldiers briefly taken hostage.

Noboa, who came to power promising to restore order through tough anti-gang measures, faces mounting criticism for his heavy-handed response to protests. He insists the attacks are real — not political theater.

“No one poisons themselves with chocolate,” Noboa said.

The national strike officially ended Thursday, but Ecuador’s deep divide between government and grassroots movements remains far from healed.