Ecuador: Presidential Candidate Villavicencio Killed

Fernando Villavicencio, 59, former trade unionist and journalist, presidential candidate in Ecuador, was killed at the end of the rally.

A representative of Movimiento Construye was shot several times in the head during a shootout involving 9 people; several police officers were also injured. President Guillermo Lasso has declared a state of emergency in this South American country.

“I’m outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. Supporting his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” wrote incumbent President Guillermo Lasso on social media. “Organized crime has spread a lot, but now they will be overcome by the full weight of the law.”

Presidential elections in Ecuador will be held on August 20, and this South American country is going through a clearly critical period in its history with an increase in all crime indicators. Thie especially concerns the intensified riots caused by drug cartels, in particular the Choneros, associated with the very powerful Mexican Sinaloa cartel.

Recently, Villavicencio spoke out publicly against the leader of this gang, after which he received death threats.