Ecuadorian presidential candidate assassinated

Ecuadorian presidential candidate  Fernando Villavicencio met a tragic fate on Wednesday afternoon, being assassinated during a political rally in the capital city of Quito, just days prior to the scheduled election.

Villavicencio, a 59-year-old former journalist, stood as one of eight candidates in the presidential race. The news of his demise prompted at least three candidates – Yaku Perez Guartambel, Bolivar Armijos, and Jan Topic – to announce the suspension of their campaign activities.

In a statement, presidential candidate Daniel Noboa Azin emphasized, “This act is an assault against the entire nation, democracy, and the peace of all Ecuadorians.”

The assassination was officially confirmed by Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, who reacted by convening a Security Cabinet Meeting to address the situation.

Carlos Figueroa, a close associate of Villavicencio who witnessed the shooting, shared in an online video that Villavicencio sustained three gunshots to the head.

Lasso expressed his deep shock, stating, “I am appalled and deeply saddened by the murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. In memory of his legacy and the cause he fought for, I want to assure you that this crime will not go without consequences.”

The president appeared to attribute the attack to “organized crime” and asserted that “the full extent of the law will be brought down upon those responsible.”

The assault led to the injury of at least nine individuals, including a National Assembly candidate and two police officers, according to the attorney general’s office, which also mentioned that the incident was under investigation.

Villavicencio, who served as the head of the center-right Movimiento Construye party, tragically met his end less than two weeks ahead of the scheduled general election on August 20. His untimely death took place against the backdrop of escalating political violence in the nation.

In a prior incident, Agustin Intriago, the mayor of Ecuador’s coastal port city of Manta, was fatally shot, an attack which President Lasso attributed to organized crime. Additionally, Ariana Chancay lost her life as an unintended victim in this event.

Earlier in February, Omar Menendez, a mayoral candidate for Puerto Lopez, also faced a similar fate.

Following Intriago’s assassination, Movimiento Construye revealed that there had been discussions about potentially suspending Villavicencio’s campaign briefly or increasing security measures. However, the party noted that Villavicencio was steadfast in his determination to continue.

“Fernando Villavicencio boldly confronted criminal organizations and fearlessly exposed their ties to politics,” the party conveyed in a statement. “We demand accountability from the government and the justice system, ensuring that Fernando’s murder does not go unpunished.”