Ecuador’s presidential candidate Villavicencio was shot dead by an unknown gunman during a political rally in the capital Quito. He had distinguished himself as a particularly critical voice against corruption.
A week and a half before the early presidential elections in Ecuador, the candidate Fernando Villavicencio was killed after a campaign event in the capital Quito.
Unknowns fired at the 59-year-old as he got into a car, local media reported. “I am outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. My solidarity and condolences go out to his wife and daughters,” wrote President Guillermo Lasso on Twitter. “This crime will not go unpunished.”
The head of state convened the National Security Council. “Organized crime has gone too far. It will be punished with the full force of the law,” Lasso continued.
Villavicencio criticized widespread corruption
Villavicencio ran for the highest office in the South American country as a candidate for the Construye (Building) movement and, according to the latest polls, was in fourth or fifth place. As a journalist and member of parliament, he had repeatedly criticized the widespread corruption in Ecuador.
Early presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Ecuador on August 20th. These became necessary after President Lasso dissolved the National Assembly in the midst of impeachment proceedings against him for alleged embezzlement.
Ecuador is in a serious political crisis. The approval ratings for government and parliament are very low. The once peaceful country is also currently suffering from a wave of violence. The homicide rate of 25 homicides per 100,000 people last year was the highest in the country’s history, even exceeding those of Mexico and Brazil. The government blames drug dealers for the violence.