Ecuador: Candidate in August 2023 Presidential Election Fernando Villavicencio Shot Dead

An assassination has rocked Ecuador as presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead while leaving a campaign event in Quinto. President Guillermo Lasso confirmed the assassination before condemning the attack.

Lasso, an outgoing president, stated that he was "outraged and shocked by the assassination" and stated that he will convene a meeting of his security cabinet.

"For his memory and his fight, I assure you that this crime will not remain unpunished," the president added.

According to The Guardian, Fernando Villavicencio is a well-known anti-corruption advocate and former journalist who had previously worked for the publication. The publication described its former journalist as "outspoken about alleged links between organized crime and politics."

While leaving the campaign event in Quinta, Villavicencio was surrounded by supporters and was also escorted by security guards as he made his way to his vehicle. A video circulated on social media showed that gunshots rang out and people started screaming before the Ecuador presidential candidate was shot dead.

Villavicencio's uncle, Galo Valencia, then blasted the state for not providing enough security, as there were also reports of supporters being injured.

"What we witnessed was like a horror film. The death of my relative. I have no words for what's happening in the country. They just killed democracy," said Valencia.

Fernando Villavicencio Also Shot Dead

Fernando Villavicencio, a member of Ecuador's national assembly, was reportedly shot three times, according to witnesses. The suspect who shot him is now also dead, shot by the candidate's security personnel.

According to the BBC, nine people were also injured, including a political candidate running for the national assembly and two police officers.

So far, six arrests have been made, with the main suspect who killed Villavicencio already dead. The shooter reportedly died from wounds sustained from the shootout that happened after the candidate was shot.

So far, no details have emerged as to who ordered the assassination, though just a few days before the shooting, the former Guardian journalist stated on national TV that he received several death threats from the jailed leader of the Choneros gang, known as "Alias Fito." The gang leader reportedly ordered the candidate to stop mentioning his name, but Villavicencio continued to defy this.

Who Was Fernando Villavicencio?

Fernando Villavicencio is an outspoken critic of organized groups such as the one led by "El Fito," which has ties with the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. His candidacy was often seen as a threat to these criminal groups as he often promised to go after them, as well as the politicians and officials that they are working with.

Before he died, he was an assemblyman who was outspoken against corruption. According to the Associated Press, as a journalist, he made a name for himself investigating corruption in previous governments. He particularly rankled ex-President Rafael Correa while he was president.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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