Tragedy struck in Ecuador as Fernando Villavicencio, a contender in the presidential race, was fatally shot by an unidentified assailant on Wednesday.
The incident occurred outside a campaign rally in the capital city of Quito and was subsequently confirmed by President Guillermo Lasso, who attributed the assassination to organized crime.
“I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” he claimed. “Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law.”
The victim of this tragic event, Fernando Villavicencio, was a 59-year-old married father of five. Haunting footage posted on social media depicted Villavicencio, flanked by at least three guards, walking outside following the rally while surrounded by bystanders.
As he attempted to enter the backseat of a pickup truck, a series of gunshots erupted, leading one guard to swiftly shut the door in an attempt to protect the candidate.
The Ecuadorian attorney general’s office reported that a suspect was arrested and subsequently succumbed to wounds sustained during the arrest.
The alleged shooter was confronted by “security personnel,” resulting in injuries leading to his arrest.
Despite being moved to the attorney general’s unit for treatment, the suspect’s condition deteriorated, and he was later pronounced dead by an ambulance from the fire department.
Fernando Villavicencio had reportedly received death threats prior to the fatal shooting. These threats had been reported to the police, resulting in at least one detention.
Campaign adviser Patricio Zuquilanda revealed this information, emphasizing that the slain candidate had a history of denouncing corruption and was running as an anti-corruption candidate.
“The Ecuadorian people are crying and Ecuador is mortally wounded,” he stated. “Politics cannot lead to the death of any member of society.”
The tragic incident resulted in several individuals sustaining injuries, including police officers. The authorities labeled the shooting as a terrorist act, pledging to conduct a thorough investigation into the assassination.
In the aftermath of the attack, photographs depicted supporters seeking refuge inside a building, while numerous law enforcement officers equipped with bulletproof vests and helmets were stationed outside a hospital.
Ecuador, like many countries, has been grappling with alarming violence, encompassing ruthless murders, rampant drug trafficking, and the recruitment of children into gangs.
Despite not being a frontrunner in the presidential race, Fernando Villavicencio’s commitment to denouncing corruption and his participation in the Build Ecuador Movement made him a noteworthy candidate among the eight vying for the presidency in the upcoming August 20 election.
