Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot and killed Wednesday by an unidentified gunman while at a political rally in the country's capital of Quito, President Guillermo Lasso said.
The killing comes amid a startling wave of violence in the South American nation, with drug trafficking and violent killings on the rise.
“I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” Lasso said in a statement. “Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law.”
Videos on social media appear to show the candidate walking out of the event surrounded by guards. The video then shows Villavicencio entering a white truck followed by gunfire.
The politician, 59, was the candidate for the Build Ecuador Movement. He was one of eight presidential candidates for the late August election.
He was one of the most critical voices against corruption, especially during the government of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017. He filed many judicial complaints against high ranking members of the Correa government.
Early accounts show that several others were injured in the attack, though authorities did not confirm how many.
He was married and is survived by five children.
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10 Comments
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WA4TKG
I'm not surprised.
I spent two weeks there about ten years ago, it's only gotten significantly WORSE.
Japan is a paradox
Columbia joins Japan as nations with assassinated statesmen.
Blacklabel
The current US administration totally supports their president and his corruption, unsurprisingly.
probably use this violence as justification for another 50,000 to claim refugee status in the US.
likely Including some of the people involved in this shooting based on how poorly illegals are vetted.
u_s__reamer
Anti-corruption will put a target on anybody's back in the venal jungle of politics and, in poverty-stricken, sicario-infested South America, it's a way of making deadly enemies without even trying .
Japan is a paradox
sakurasuki
Just like one episode of Narcos series.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I suppose you would prefer Biden meet with one of the communists in the region or are you just flailing as usual?
Legrande
Don't use too broad of a brush there lol
Desert Tortoise
It might just be me but I suspect the candidates strong words against drug cartels got him shot.
bass4funk
That is neither Joe nor his admin.