Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was tragically shot and killed during a campaign event in Quito on Wednesday. The assassination has shocked the nation, with officials suggesting that organized crime may be behind the attack.
The shooting took place as Villavicencio, 59, was preparing to leave a political rally in Ecuador’s capital. His campaign adviser, Carlos Figueroa, confirmed the politician’s death to local media, revealing that he had been shot in the head three times.
President Guillermo Lasso expressed his outrage and shock at the assassination in a statement shared on social media. He vowed that the murder would not go unsolved, stating that “organized crime has gone too far.” President Lasso has been vocal about his opposition to criminal gangs and drug traffickers, blaming them for the recent surge in violence across Ecuador.
Video footage of the incident captured the moment the shooting started. Unknown assailants opened fire on Villavicencio as security guards escorted him to a vehicle following the rally. The footage revealed more than a dozen gunshots, emphasizing the brutal nature of the attack. Immediately after the shooting, Figueroa examined Villavicencio and found no vital signs. He was later declared dead at a nearby hospital.
Following the assassination, Ecuador’s attorney general reported that an unnamed suspect in the shooting had been arrested but died from injuries sustained during an exchange of bullets with law enforcement. Nine others were wounded in the incident, including two police officers and a candidate for local office. The police have described the shooting as an act of terrorism and have pledged to launch a thorough investigation.
In a separate development, Villavicencio’s party, Movimiento Construye, took to social media to report that armed men had attacked their campaign office in Quito. However, no further details were provided. The party issued a statement demanding action from the government, emphasizing that Villavicencio’s death must not go unpunished.
The assassination of Villavicencio comes just 10 days before Ecuador’s next presidential election, in which he was set to compete with seven other candidates. Villavicencio, a former lawmaker and vocal anti-corruption activist, had been polling at 7.5%, placing him in fifth place at the time of his death, according to local media reports.
The slaying has elicited strong reactions from the other candidates in the race. Indigenous presidential hopeful Yaku Perez announced the suspension of his campaign, while another candidate, Otto Sonnenholzner, urged officials to take action, stating that they do not want just words when lives are at stake. These sentiments were echoed by Jan Topic, a contender from the Social Christian Party, who also paused his campaign.
President Lasso responded to the tragic event by calling an urgent meeting of top security officials to address the situation. The assassination of Fernando Villavicencio has cast a shadow over Ecuador’s upcoming election and highlighted the need for stronger measures against organized crime and violence in the country.
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