Ecuador's President, Guillermo Lasso, has decreed a 60-day state of emergency following the murder of right-wing presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. However, the president explained that the presidential elections will remain scheduled for August 20.
Villavicencio was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon after participating in a campaign rally in Quito. The criminals unloaded at least 40 shots and wounded other bystanders accompanying him. "At this moment, in view of the gravity of the facts that shock Ecuador, I will proceed to sign two decrees: the first one declares three days of national mourning to honor the memory of a patriot and, the second decree declares a State of Emergency for 60 days. The Armed Forces from this moment on are mobilized throughout the national territory to guarantee the security of citizens, the tranquility of the country and free and democratic elections," said Lasso during a message to the nation after the event.
Lasso assured that "organized crime has gone too far, but the full weight of the law will be applied to them." He also sent his condolences to the family members of the presidential candidate. "Outraged and dismayed by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. My sympathy and condolences to his wife and daughters. For his memory and for his struggle, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished," said the Ecuadorian president in a message posted on the social network X (Twitter).
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
Authorities indicated that investigations in the case are ongoing. The Prosecutor's Office confirmed that one of the suspects in the crime was killed by the police and that six others are in custody. "In flagrant procedure -and with the legal supervision of FiscalíaEc- 6 people have been apprehended (so far) during raids executed in Conocoto and SanBartolo, in Quito, in the context of the murder of Fernando Villavicencio", explained the Prosecutor's Office.
#URGENTE | En procedimiento flagrante –y con la supervisión jurídica de #FiscalíaEc– 6 personas han sido aprehendidas (hasta ahora) durante allanamientos ejecutados en #Conocoto y #SanBartolo, en #Quito, en el contexto del asesinato de #FernandoVillavicencio (en desarrollo). pic.twitter.com/xOGPyxMLFn
— Fiscalía Ecuador (@FiscaliaEcuador) August 10, 2023
Villavicencio denounced corruption: "When we talk about 21st Century socialism, there is a link with drug trafficking."
Fernando Villavicencio was a critic of socialism. In fact, he denounced the links of Ecuadorian politicians with other socialist leaders in the region. Recently, he published a video in which he assured that "almost every time there is talk of 21st century socialism in Latin America, there is a link with drug trafficking. This, obviously, also includes Ecuador." At the end of July, the Ecuadorian candidate pointed out that Nicolás Petro Burgos, son of the president of the Republic, Gustavo Petro Urrego, had links with politicians close to the fugitive from justice and former president of Ecuador Rafael Correa. He pointed directly to the aspiring assemblywoman for the Citizen Revolution party, Raisa Vulgarin.
View this post on Instagram
In a video he posted on Instagram, he claimed that Gustavo Petro's son, accused of money laundering and illicit enrichment along with his ex-wife Daysuris Vásquez, had a relationship with Vulgarin. "A few hours ago, the Colombian Prosecutor's Office has just charged and ordered the imprisonment of Nicolas Petro and his ex-wife, Day Vasquez. Yes, we are talking about the son of the president of Colombia, an ally of 21st century socialism and Rafael Correa Delgado", assured Villavicencio.
In addition, he showed a report from Infobae along with Nicolás Petro's alleged WhatsApp conversations mentioning a woman named "Raisa" who would have been his accomplice to launder money. He also showed photographs in which Raisa Vulgarin appears with Gustavo Petro's son, and with advertising for the Colombian president's campaign. "In several photographs revealed in Colombia, he appears together with Nicolás Petro, Day Vásquez and Camilo Burgos (cousin of Nicolás Petro Burgos) and the Citizen Revolution candidate for the Assembly, Raisa Vulgarin," commented Villavicencio.
"This is a very serious case, even more so considering that the person who directed Gustavo Petro's electoral campaign was the convicted and fugitive from justice, Vinicio Alvarado Esquivel, who also directs the campaign of Luisa González and Andrés Arauz in Ecuador. Madam Attorney General, it is time for you to request all the information from your Colombian counterpart to initiate investigations," Villavicencio concluded in his complaint.
Villavicencio also warned in recent days about threats he allegedly received from alleged members of the Sinaloa Cartel and the criminal organization Los Choneros, specifically from the alias Fito. "A threat against me and with a warning that, if I continue to refer to him and his structure, they will make an attempt on my life. Here I am facing them. I am not afraid of them, he said.
🗣️ Villavicencio anunció hace unos días que había recibido amenazas de Alias Fito, líder del cartel Los Choneros. pic.twitter.com/mqhEj5vaA9
— La Razón (@larazon_es) August 10, 2023
Presidential campaign in Ecuador
In the midst of the situation, other Ecuadorian candidates suspended their campaign activities. For example, other right-wing candidate, Jan Topić, reported that he momentarily canceled his political commitments. He also asked to "act with a firm hand against criminality." "Faced with the tragic murder of Fernando Villavicencio, out of respect for this regrettable death and for the safety of my campaign team and brigadistas, I have decided to momentarily suspend my campaign activities," Topić said on X (Twitter).
Ante el trágico asesinato de Fernando Villavicencio, por respeto a este lamentable fallecimiento y por la seguridad de mi equipo de campaña y brigadistas, he decidido SUSPENDER momentáneamente mis actividades de campaña.
— Jan Topic (@jantopicecuador) August 10, 2023
