Ecuador's Top Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio Assassinated Just 10 Days Before Elections

In a shocking incident, a candidate participating in Ecuador's imminent presidential election was tragically killed on Wednesday, as reported by the BBC. The victim, Fernando Villavicencio, a member of Ecuador's national assembly, became the target of an attack shortly after an event held in the northern city of Quito.

Accounts from his campaign team recount that as he was preparing to enter a vehicle, an individual approached him and fired a fatal shot at his head.

This distressing news was also corroborated by the incumbent President Guillermo Lasso, who utilised the social media platform "X" to express his solidarity and offer condolences to Villavicencio's family. He pledged that the perpetrator would face consequences for their actions.

Translated roughly, Lasso's tweet reads: "I am deeply outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. I extend my sympathy and condolences to his wife and daughters. In honor of his memory and his struggle, I assure you that justice will be served."

He went on to mention: "The Security Cabinet will convene shortly at Carondelet. I have summoned the President of the CNE, Diana Atamaint; the State Attorney General, Diana Salazar; the President of the National Court of Justice, Iván Saquicela; and other relevant state authorities to urgently address this shocking incident that has shaken the nation."

Ecuador's attorney general's office confirmed that a suspect linked to the assassination of Villavicencio succumbed to injuries after being apprehended by authorities.

Villavicencio was a prominent advocate against corruption, notably during the tenure of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017. He initiated numerous legal complaints against high-ranking figures within the Correa administration.

It is pertinent to note that the country has experienced an abrupt surge in violent crimes in recent times. Various media outlets have reported that the rise of drug cartels in Ecuador has become a significant concern in the context of the presidential campaign.

Just last month, Agustin Intriago, the mayor of Manta city, was similarly killed. Earlier in February, a mayoral candidate in the city of Puerto Lopez was also assassinated in broad daylight.