BREAKING: Tears Flow As Prominent Presidential Candidate Who Is Strongly Against Corruption Shot Dead

BREAKING: Tears Flow As Prominent Presidential Candidate Who Is Strongly Against Corruption Shot Dead

A prominent Ecuadorian presidential contender was fatally shot as he departed from a rally in the country’s capital on Wednesday…CONTINUE READING

This incident prompted President Guillermo Lasso to announce a state of emergency and attribute the assassination to organized crime.

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Fernando Villavicencio, a 59-year-old advocate against corruption who had reported receiving threats, was killed after concluding a campaign event at a stadium in Quito, officials confirmed.

Following the assassination, Lasso declared a two-month state of emergency early Thursday, but he affirmed that the scheduled general elections on August 20 would proceed as planned.

Expressing his shock and dismay at the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, Lasso issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), laying blame on “organized crime” for the murder.

He vowed, “For his memory and his cause, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.”

Villavicencio, based on recent opinion polls, was the second most popular candidate in the presidential race.

In response to the tragedy, Lasso addressed the nation through a YouTube video, stating, “The Armed Forces are now deployed across the nation to ensure citizens’ security, the nation’s tranquility, and the integrity of the free and democratic elections on August 20.”

Lasso also proclaimed three days of national mourning “to honor the memory of a patriot, Fernando Villavicencio Valencia.” He emphasized that the assassination was not just a political crime but one with a “terrorist character,” expressing suspicions of an attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

The aftermath of the shooting attack resulted in nine others being wounded, including a candidate for the national legislature and two police officers.

Lasso made it clear that he would not seek re-election. The President of the National Electoral Council, Diana Atamaint, assured that the elections scheduled for August 20 would proceed unchanged.

Security forces managed to neutralize one of the alleged attackers and detonated an explosive device discovered in the vicinity. Carlos Figueroa, a friend of Villavicencio who was present during the attack, recounted that around 30 shots were fired. The main newspaper, El Universo, reported that Villavicencio was assassinated with “three shots to the head, in a manner resembling a professional hit.”

Later, prosecutors confirmed the arrest of six additional suspects during raids in southern Quito and a nearby town. Villavicencio’s body was taken to a police facility for an autopsy.

Ecuador has been grappling with a surge in violence linked to drug trafficking, which has also claimed the lives of other political figures in recent years. Despite this atmosphere, the presidential elections are set to proceed as planned.

The United States, Spain, Chile, and the Organization of American States observer mission have all condemned the assassination. The European Union ambassador to Ecuador, Charles-Michel Geurts, remarked that the attack was horrifying and stressed that democracy should triumph over violence.

Fernando Villavicencio, a former journalist who exposed corruption and later served in parliament, had recently unveiled a corruption scheme that led to the imprisonment of former President Rafael Correa. Villavicencio had raised concerns about threats against him and his team, allegedly originating from a criminal gang associated with drug trafficking.

In conclusion, President Lasso extended condolences to Villavicencio’s family and vowed to uphold justice in the face of this tragic event.