The right-wing candidate for the presidency of Ecuador, Fernando Villavicencio, was assassinated Wednesday afternoon while leaving a campaign event in the north of Quito, the country's capital. His sister denounced a plot behind his murder.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. (local time), when gunmen arrived at the school where the rally was being held and began shooting at the candidate.
Dr. Carlos Figueroa, a friend of the candidate on the scene at the time of the shooting, was one of the first to confirm Villavicencio's death.
Acaba de asesinar a Fernando Villavicencio en la salida de un concentración 18:45 #teleamazonas #ecuavisa
— Carlos Figueroa (@carlosfigueroa6) August 9, 2023
Witnesses claim that the shot that killed the candidate came from a revolver fired by a man of short stature. Although there are no further details of the incident, the authorities have already begun an operation to locate the shooter.
#ÚLTIMAHORA | Asesinan a Fernando Villavicencio, candidato a la presidencia de Ecuador. 🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/0hv8b0I0uK
— VOZ (@VozMediaUSA) August 10, 2023
More victims of the attack
According to information shared by local authorities, the attack also left nine people injured, including an Assembly candidate and two policemen.
Villavicencio's sister denounces plot
Patricia Villavicencio, the candidate's sister, suggested that her brother was killed because some people did not want him to expose the corruption in the country. Patricia also clarified that if anything happened to her and the rest of her family, she would hold the government, Rafael Correa and "his criminal gangs" responsible.
"They killed democracy (...) This government did nothing to protect him. It is a plot (...) They will not silence us", she said.
ÚLTIMA HORA | Hermana del candidato presidencial Fernando Villavicencio denuncia complot tras su asesinato: "Maldito éste Gobierno que no hizo nada para protegerlo (...) responsabilizamos al Gobierno y Rafael Correa" https://t.co/mkwimsqf3U pic.twitter.com/8IakpYg8A7
— AlbertoRodNews (@AlbertoRodNews) August 10, 2023
Suspect dies
The attorney general's office reported through social networks that a suspect in the candidate's murder was wounded during crossfire and died while being transferred into custody.
Un sospechoso, que resultó herido durante el cruce de balas con el personal de seguridad, fue aprehendido y trasladado malherido hasta la Unidad de Flagrancia en #Quito. Una ambulancia de los Bomberos confirmó su deceso. @PoliciaEcuador procede con el levantamiento del cadáver.
— Fiscalía Ecuador (@FiscaliaEcuador) August 10, 2023
Ecuadorians come out to protest
According to the report of La Derecha Diario, a group of demonstrators took to the streets and pointed to Rafael Correa as the culprit of the assassination, saying he is "linked to the gang that assassinated the right-wing candidate Fernando Villavicencio."
🇪🇨 | "CORREA ASESINO": Los ecuatorianos salen a la calle a protestar contra el comunista Rafael Correa, vinculado a la banda que asesinó al candidato de derecha Fernando Villavicencio.pic.twitter.com/CXTUjW43xE
— La Derecha Diario (@laderechadiario) August 10, 2023
Second in voting intentions
Recent polls placed Villavicencio (the most critical opponent of Rafael Correa) in second place. Of the eight presidential candidates, the first in the polls is lawyer Luisa Gonzalez, a supporter of former president Correa.
Villavicencio denounced threats
Villavicencio reported receiving threats from an organized crime group a few weeks before he was killed. The State Attorney General's Office was investigating this information.
Fernando Villavicencio denunció públicamente hace unas semanas que fue amenazado de muerte, además señaló que si llegaba al poder no pactaría con las mafias.
Hoy ha sido asesinado a la salida de un mitin a tiros. pic.twitter.com/ParlXwg6yp
— Wall Street Wolverine (@wallstwolverine) August 10, 2023
Other politicians assassinated
Recently, two other Ecuadorian politicians were also shot and killed in the country. One of them was Agustin Intriago, a mayor with a reputation for incorruptibility in charge of the city of Manta, considered an essential arrival and departure point for cocaine shipments.
Last month, Rider Sanchez, a candidate for a seat in the National Assembly, was also shot and killed. Other politicians have denounced that they are also receiving threats.
"Considering that the country is facing a special general election, I would not be surprised if he is not the last mayor to be assassinated this year," said Wolf Grabendorff, an expert on international relations and Latin American security issues, at the time Intriago was killed.
Reactions
🚨| EL DATO: Fernando Villavicencio realizó 260 investigaciones en contra de Rafael Correa y otros gobernantes de izquierda en Ecuador como periodista y legislador. ⚠ Solo a la izquierda de Rafael Correa le convenía su muerte. pic.twitter.com/bz6SwCLKDs
— Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) August 10, 2023
América Latina vuelve a tiempos oscuros. El asesinato de Fernando Villavicencio, candidato a la presidencia de Ecuador, nos conmueve en gran manera.
Muere un aliado de la democracia y un luchador contra las fuerzas del mal. Hoy es un día triste para los nuestros.🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/lkKTslKI57
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) August 10, 2023
Indignado y consternado por el asesinato del candidato presidencial Fernando Villavicencio. Mi solidaridad y mis condolencias con su esposa y sus hijas. Por su memoria y por su lucha, les aseguro que este crimen no va a quedar impune.
El Gabinete de Seguridad se reunirá en…
— Guillermo Lasso (@LassoGuillermo) August 10, 2023
