Ecuadoran presidential candidate reportedly shot dead just after holding a campaign rally in the nation’s capital, Quito on Wednesday.
Fernando Villavicencio, a former Member of the National Assembly of Ecuador, and former journalist who wrote about corruption and served in parliament, had earlier complained of receiving threats allegedly coming from the leader of a criminal gang linked to drug trafficking.
Villavicencio was murdered as he was leaving a stadium in Quito after holding a campaign rally.
The 59-year-old anti-corruption crusader was the second most popular candidate in the presidential race, according to recent opinion polls.
As a journalist, Villavicencio uncovered a corruption scheme for which former president Correa (2007-2017) was sentenced to eight years in prison.
This incident prompted President Guillermo Lasso to declare a two-month state of emergency early Thursday but said general elections slated for August 20 2023 would be held as scheduled.
“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio,” The president wrote on X platform, formerly known as Twitter, blaming the killing on “organised crime. For his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.
The Armed Forces as of this moment are mobilised throughout the national territory to guarantee the security of citizens, the tranquility of the country and the free and democratic elections of August 20,” Lasso said in a statement on X page.
The president who said he will not seek re-election, also declared three days of national mourning “to honour the memory of a patriot, Fernando Villavicencio Valencia.”
“This is a political crime that acquires a terrorist character and we do not doubt that this murder is an attempt to sabotage the electoral process.”
Nine other people were injured in the shooting, a candidate running for the national legislature and two policemen, prosecutors said.
One of the alleged attackers was shot and killed by security personnel. And police detonated an explosive device planted in the area, said chief investigator Alain Luna.
Carlos Figueroa, a friend of Villavicencio’s who was with him at the time of the attack, told local media that the assailants fired around 30 shots.
“They ambushed him outside” the sports centre, Figueroa said. “Some (of those present) even thought they were fireworks.”
The country’s main newspaper, El Universo, reported that Villavicencio was assassinated “hitman-style and with three shots to the head.”
