Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio Killed in Campaign Event in Ecuador
QUITO, Aug 9 (Reuters) – Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, known for his vocal criticism of corruption and organized crime, was tragically killed on Wednesday evening during a campaign event in the north of the capital Quito, according to authorities.
Local media reported that approximately 30 shots were fired, and video footage shared on social media showed Villavicencio entering a car after the event, followed by the sound of apparent gunfire and screams.
Despite repeated requests for comment, Ecuador’s police and Interior Ministry did not provide any details about the killing.
The attorney general’s office confirmed that a suspect in the crime later died from injuries sustained in a shoot-out. The violence also left nine other people injured, including a candidate for the legislature and two police officers.
The office later announced that six individuals had been arrested in connection with the crime during raids in Quito.
President Guillermo Lasso expressed his condolences, stating, “For his memory and his fight, I assure you that this crime will not remain unpunished. Organized crime has gone very far, but all the weight of the law will fall on them.”
Lasso’s government has attributed the rising violence on the streets and in prisons to criminal infighting over control of trafficking routes used by Mexican cartels, the Albanian mafia, and other criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking. He announced plans to host an urgent meeting with top security officials.
Security concerns, along with employment and migration, are major voter concerns in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for August 20.
Villavicencio, who had pledged to combat corruption and reduce tax evasion if elected, had a support rating of 7.5% according to opinion polls, ranking him fifth out of eight candidates.
Villavicencio’s party, Movimiento Construye, reported that armed men had attacked its Quito offices in a separate incident. The party had recently discussed the possibility of suspending campaigning due to political violence, including the murder of the mayor of Manta in July. However, Villavicencio opposed the suspension, stating that “keeping silent and hiding in moments when criminals assassinate citizens and authorities is an act of cowardice.”
The candidate, a former unionist and journalist, had made a report to the attorney general’s office about an oil business on Tuesday, although no further details were made public.
Late-night marches denouncing the murder took place in several cities, including Villavicencio’s hometown of Alausi.
Villavicencio was an outspoken critic of former President Rafael Correa and was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for defamation against the former president. He sought refuge in Indigenous territory within Ecuador and was later granted asylum in Peru.
Former President Correa, who now resides in Belgium, commented on the tragic event, stating, “Ecuador has become a failed state. Hopefully, those who try to sow more hate with this new tragedy will understand that it will only continue to destroy us.”
As a legislator, Villavicencio faced criticism from opposition politicians for obstructing an impeachment process against Lasso earlier this year, which ultimately led to the calling of early elections.
Other candidates in the presidential race expressed shock and horror at the killing. Presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez, who is running for Correa’s party, said, “This makes us all mourn. My solidarity to all his family and the people who follow his ideals. This vile act will not go unpunished!”
Indigenous candidate Yaku Perez announced the suspension of his presidential campaign and called for an end to the violence in a video posted after the incident. Perez later stated that he was in contact with other candidates in pursuit of a “pact for security.”
Candidate Otto Sonnenholzner demanded action from the government, stating, “To the government; we don’t want words… Act. We are dying.”
Presidential hopeful Jan Topic also suspended his campaign, saying, “Today more than ever, the need to act with a strong hand against crime is reiterated. May God have him in his glory.”
Reporting by Alexandra Valencia in Quito, with additional reporting by Valentine Hilaire, Isabel Woodford, and Carolina Pulice. Written by Julia Symmes Cobb. Edited by Lincoln Feast.
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