August 10, 2023.
Fernando Villavicencio
In response to the assassination of Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio while campaigning yesterday, former president of Ecuador Rafael Correa claimed that “Ecuador has become a failed state. Those who seek to sow even more hatred with this new tragedy, I hope they understand that it only continues to destroy us.”
Correa went to express his solidarity with Villavicencio’s family and with all the families of the victims of violence.
After the attack against Villavicencio during a campaign rally in the city of Quito, President Guillermo Lasso signed a decree establishing a state of emergency in the country for a period of 60 days. He also declared three days of national mourning for August 10, 11 and 12.
Meanwhile, five of the country’s candidates for Head of State announced that they were suspending their electoral campaigns following the murder of their rival. At the same time, the president of the National Electoral Council, Diana Atamaint, declared that the presidential elections are not suspended and will be held on August 20.
Villavicencio, 59 years old, was shot three times in the head at the end of an event that took place at the Anderson School, in the city of Quito. The politician was taken to the Clínica de la Mujer, where his death was later confirmed.
Several people were injured, among them an assemblywoman candidate and two policemen. A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of perpetrating the attack, who died later as a result of the wounds received in an exchange of fire with security officers. The Prosecutor’s Office informed that, so far, it has 6 people in custody for their alleged relation to the crime.