A week and a half before the early presidential elections in Ecuador, unknown persons shot candidate Fernando Villavicencio (59) on Wednesday evening after a campaign event in the capital Quito. The journalist had started the fight against corruption and tax evasion. In response, President Lasso has now declared a state of emergency for 60 days.
“The armed forces have now been mobilized across the country to ensure the security of citizens, the peace of the country and the free and democratic elections on August 20,” Lasso said in a speech on Thursday.
After incumbent President Lasso was ousted in May, he dissolved parliament and called presidential and parliamentary elections.
A suspect also died
According to local media, strangers shot the 59-year-old as he got into a car on Wednesday (local time). A suspect was arrested after the gunfight with serious injuries, according to the Public Prosecution Service. An ambulance crew subsequently confirmed his death.
In addition, according to another tweet from the authority, at least nine people were injured in the incident. The public prosecutor’s office also warned on their Twitter account for false reports related to the crime.
President ‘shocked and outraged’
“I am outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. My solidarity and condolences go out to his wife and daughters,” President Lasso wrote on Twitter. “This crime will not go unpunished,” he said. “Organized crime is gone too far. It will be punished with the full force of the law,” Lasso wrote.
The 59-year-old centrist and former MP Villavicencio was one of eight candidates running in the early presidential election. Most recently, he ranked third or fourth behind lawyer Luisa González, who is a clear leader in polls and close to exiled former left-wing president Rafael Correa. Earlier this month, Villavicencio said he and his team had received threats.
Political crisis in Ecuador
Ecuador is in a serious political crisis. The approval scores for government and parliament are very low. The once peaceful country is also currently suffering from a wave of violence. The homicide rate of 25 murders per 100,000 people last year was the highest in the country’s history, even surpassing that of Mexico and Brazil. Lasso relaxed gun laws in April, allowing civilians to carry guns. The government blames drug cartels for the violence.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
