ECUADOR: On Wednesday, during a campaign event in the northern part of Quito, Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, known for his strong stance against corruption and organized crime, was tragically killed, authorities stated, amid an uptick in violence attributed to drug traffickers in the Andean nation.
Reports from local media indicated that approximately 30 gunshots were fired during the event held in the northern part of Quito, the capital. Videos circulating on social media captured the moment when Villavicencio entered a car after the event, shortly followed by what seemed to be the sound of gunshots and sounds of distress.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso affirmed that the police effectively neutralized a grenade that had been abandoned by the perpetrators.
In a video message shortly after midnight local time, following discussions with security and electoral authorities, Lasso said, “This is a political crime, which has the character of terrorism, and we do not doubt that this murder is an attempt to sabotage the electoral process.”
Lasso announced a three-day mourning period and a national state of emergency, stating that the military will ensure security. The scheduled presidential voting on Aug. 20 will proceed as intended.
The attorney general’s office stated that one individual involved in the incident died from injuries sustained in a shootout. The violence also wounded nine others, including a legislative candidate and two police officers.
The government of Lasso stated that it had apprehended six individuals thus far in relation to the crime following operations in Quito.
Lasso’s administration attributes the surge in violence both on the streets and within penitentiaries to conflicts among criminals vying for dominance over drug trafficking pathways exploited by Mexican cartels, the Albanian mafia, and similar groups facilitating drug transportation.
Security issues, coupled with worries about jobs and immigration, stand as significant topics for voters in the presidential competition.
Villavicencio’s commitment included battling corruption and lessening tax evasion if he won the election. Polls indicated his backing stood at 7.5%, positioning him fifth among eight contenders.
Movimiento Construye, Villavicencio’s party, stated on X (previously known as Twitter) that armed men were targeting its Quito offices. The party mentioned ongoing talks about potentially halting the campaign due to escalating political violence, including the tragic murder of Manta’s mayor in July.
Villavicencio opposed the idea of suspension, saying that it was “cowardly” to remain silent and hide when criminals were killing residents and officials.
The candidate, a former unionist and journalist, reported on a business dealing with oil on Tuesday to the attorney general’s office, but no other information about his complaint was made public.
Villavicencio, a native of the Andean province of Chimborazo, was a former union member at the state oil company Petroecuador before becoming a journalist who exposed alleged losses on oil contracts amounting to millions of dollars.
Many communities, including Alausi, the hometown of Villavicencio, saw late-night marches condemning the murder.
Villavicencio had been a vocal opponent of former President Rafael Correa and received an 18-month prison sentence for defaming the ex-president due to statements he had made. He took refuge on indigenous land in Ecuador before being granted asylum in Peru.
Correa, who currently resides in Belgium, stated on X that “Ecuador has turned into a failed state. Hopefully, those who try to spread more hate with this new tragedy will realize that will only further destroy us.”
As a lawmaker, Villavicencio came under fire from opponents for impeding Lasso’s impeachment proceedings this year, which prompted the latter to demand early elections. The murder horrified the other contenders in the race.
“This makes us all mourn. My solidarity goes out to all his family and the people who follow his ideals. This vile act will not go unpunished!” Luisa Gonzalez, a presidential candidate running for Correa’s party, wrote on X.
Indigenous contender Yaku Perez announced the suspension of his presidential campaign and urged an end to the violence in a video released following the incident. Perez later revealed his communication with fellow candidates, aiming to establish a “security pact.”
Candidate Otto Sonnenholzner said, “To the government, we don’t want words… Act. We are dying.“
Presidential hopeful Jan Topic also wrote on X, saying, “Today, more than ever, the need to act with a strong hand against crime is reiterated. May God have him in his glory,” before suspending his campaign.
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