Journalist shot while covering clashes between protestors and Ecuadorian army, police

New York, October 16, 2025—Ecuadorian authorities should comprehensively and swiftly investigate the shooting of TV journalist Edison Muenala and take decisive actions to ensure that press members can safely report on ongoing anti-government demonstrations, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.

On Tuesday, Muenala, a journalist and producer with the community station APAK TV, was shot in the right shoulder while covering clashes between protesters and the Ecuadorian army and police in the northern city of Otavalo, president of the Otavalo-based APAK TV, Toa Maldonado, told CPJ.

A video of Muenala’s shooting shows the journalist groaning in pain from his injury as he displays a bullet hole in his jacket. Because access to the main hospital in Otavalo was blocked by soldiers, Muenala was treated at a hospital in the nearby town of Cotacachi and released, Maldonado said.

“The attack on journalist Edison Muenala, who was shot and wounded, is a stark reminder of the serious risks community journalists in Ecuador face while covering such protests” said Jose Zamora, CPJ’s Américas regional director, in Miami. “Authorities must promptly investigate the attack and hold those responsible to account. It is unacceptable that journalists are assaulted for doing their jobs.”

Outlets reported that it is unclear who shot Muenala as security forces used teargas, stun grenades, and firearms against the demonstrators, Maldonado said. Ecuador’s journalism protection mechanism, made up of government officials, civilians and independent media workers, condemned the “disproportionate use of force”by government forces against protesters and the press during Tuesday’s clashes.

Since nationwide protests began last month in Ecuador over the government’s cancelling of fuel subsidies, the Quito-based free press group Fundamedios has registered 49 cases in which journalists have been subjected to harassment, threats, and physical aggression while covering the demonstrations.

Speaking on Ecuadorian TV on Wednesday, Interior Minister John Reimberg said that he tells security forces to respect journalists covering protests.

CPJ’s text messages seeking comment on the incident from Ecuador’s Defense Ministry did not receive any reply.