In response to the killing of presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, Ecuadorian President, Guillermo Lasso has declared a countrywide state of emergency for 60 days.
Villavicencio, 59, was killed at the campaign rally in Quito on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Videos on social media show Villavicencio surrounded by supporters and being escorted by security guards to a waiting vehicle when gunshots rang out as people started to scream and take cover.
It was reported that the Villavicencio was killed “hitman-style and with three shots to the head.”
He was declared dead on arrival at a nearby clinic.
In a post on X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, Lasso noted, “Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. My solidarity and condolences to his wife and daughters.”
Villavicencio was one of eight presidential candidates running in early elections due to be held on August 20, 2023.
Days before his murder, Villavicencio had said on national television that he had received several death threats that he alleged came from the jailed leader of the Choneros gang, Alias Fito, ordering him to stop mentioning his name.
The attorney general’s office disclosed that one suspect in the crime later died of injuries sustained in a shootout.
The violence injured nine other people, including a candidate for the legislature and two police officers.
“A suspect, who was injured during the shootout with security personnel, was apprehended and moved, badly injured, to the [attorney general’s] unit in Quito.
“An ambulance from the fire department confirmed his death, the police are proceeding with collection of the cadaver.”
Attorney general’s office
Later, The Attorney general’s office disclosed that it had arrested six people so far in connection with the assasination.
Villavicencio was the candidate for the Build Ecuador Movement. He was a former union member at the state oil company, Petroecuador and later a journalist who denounced alleged millions in oil contract losses.
He was one of the most critical voices against corruption, especially during the 2007-17 government of the former President Rafael Correa, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison for defamation over statements made against the former President
Elections To Continue As Planned
In a televised address, the Ecuadorian President, Guillermo Lasso, declared that the elections would continue as planned, though under a two-month state of emergency in which soldiers would guard polling stations.
Lasso averred, “We agree in the face of the loss of a patriot and a fighter, elections should not be suspended; on the contrary, they should be held and democracy should be strengthened.”
“The armed forces as of this moment are mobilised throughout the national territory to guarantee the security of citizens, the tranquillity of the country and the free and democratic elections of August 20.”
Guillermo Lasso
“I want to say to those who want to threaten the state, we will not hand over the power and the democratic institutions to organised crime even though it is disguised as political organisations,” he added.
“This is a political crime, which has the character of terrorism, and we do not doubt that this murder is an attempt to sabotage the electoral process.”
Guillermo Lasso
He also announced three days of national mourning.
Villavicencio’s fellow candidates expressed their sorrow. Otto Sonnenholzner made a post which read, “Our deepest condolences and deep solidarity with the loved ones of Fernando Villavicencio. May God keep him in his glory. Our country has gotten out of hand.”
Jan Topic also said, “Today more than ever, the need to act with a strong hand against crime is reiterated. May God have him in his glory.”
READ ALSO: Cecilia Dapaah’s Case: Freezing Dapaah’s Cedi And Dollar Accounts Cause For Celebration- Kpebu
