The President of Ecuador declared a state of emergency for a period of 60 days after Fernando Villavicencio, a prominent candidate in Ecuador’s upcoming presidential election, was tragically assassinated during a campaign event in the capital city on Aug. 9.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso strongly condemned the assassination as he confirmed Villavicencio’s death.
“I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” Lasso said in a statement. “Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law.”
As a response to this grave incident, President Lasso ordered the immediate deployment of armed forces throughout the country and declared three days of national mourning in honor of Villavicencio.
The tragic incident occurred as Villavicencio was leaving a campaign rally at a school north of the capital, just 10 days before the scheduled first round of the presidential election.
The suspected gunman, who engaged in a gunfight with security personnel, later died while in police custody. The incident left nine people injured, including a National Assembly candidate and two police officers.
Known for his outspoken stance against corruption and the impact of drug trafficking-related violence, Villavicencio had openly criticized what he referred to as a “political mafia” in the country.
Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office, in an official statement, expressed its commitment to thoroughly investigate the attack
Six individuals were subsequently arrested in raids in Quito’s Conocoto and San Bartolo neighborhoods, according to the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office. Villavicencio’s body was taken to a morgue for an autopsy.
A circulating video on social media appears to capture the moment of the fatal shooting. The footage depicts Villavicencio walking toward a vehicle, surrounded by police officers and onlookers. Gunshots can be heard as he enters the back seat of the vehicle, with at least 12 shots fired. Amid the chaos, a policeman quickly shuts the door, and the crowd seeks cover, including Villavicencio’s security detail.
The sister of the slain politician, Patricia Villavicencio, was present at the rally and expressed her grief and outrage. She held the national government and the Interior Ministry responsible for her brother’s tragic fate, questioning the adequacy of security measures.
Villavicencio – a fierce opponent of corruption
Villavicencio, a former journalist, stood at the forefront of Ecuador’s anti-corruption struggle.
Aged 59, he emerged as one of eight candidates in the election, representing the Build Ecuador Movement.
Despite not being the frontrunner, he gained prominence due to his bold actions. He courageously lodged numerous legal complaints against influential figures within the Correa administration, including the former president himself. Facing an 18-month prison sentence for his critical stance, he sought refuge in Indigenous territories within Ecuador before ultimately finding asylum in neighboring Peru.
Tragically, in the days leading up to his untimely death, Villavicencio revealed on national television that he had received multiple death threats, attributed to incarcerated Choneros gang leader Alias Fito, urging him to cease mentioning his name.
Edison Romo, a former military intelligence colonel, said the anti-corruption complaints made Villavicencio “a threat to international criminal organizations.
State of Emergency declared
Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency in the Andean nation after the assassination of presidential candidate Villavicencio.
The president said that the elections would continue as planned under a state of two-month state of emergency.
“The armed forces, from this moment on, will mobilize in the whole national territory to guarantee the security of citizens, the tranquility of the country and free, democratic elections on Aug. 20,” President Lasso said after an emergency meeting.
President Lasso, deeply affected by the assassination, had previously dissolved the opposition-led congress in May, leading to early elections. His presidency has been marked by challenges, including allegations of embezzlement and calls for his resignation amid economic difficulties and escalating criminal violence.
Despite this tragedy, the president of the Electoral Council, Diana Atamaint, confirmed that the scheduled presidential election on August 20 would proceed as planned, signifying the nation’s determination to continue its democratic processes.