Ecuador: Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio shot dead after election rally in Quitto

Tragedy struck in Quito as Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was fatally shot at a political rally on Wednesday night, just weeks before the scheduled Ecuador elections. The Washington Post reported the shocking incident that unfolded at a high school rally in the capital city.

Fernando Villavicencio, an Ecuadorean presidential candidate and a member of the National Assembly, was shot and killed at a political rally in Ecuador’s capital city Quito on Wednesday night, media reports said.

Gunmen opened fire on Villavicencio, aged 59, as he was leaving the rally, according to General Manuel Iniguez, Deputy Commander of the Ecuadorean national police as quoted by the news outlet The Washington Post.

The attack occurred as Villavicencio was entering his car after the event, a member of his campaign team told the news outlet BBC.

The presidential candidate suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was later pronounced dead.

The attack also left a police officer injured, as the gunmen further escalated the situation by launching a grenade towards Villavicencio’s group. Fortunately, the grenade did not detonate, averting additional casualties.

One suspect involved in the attack has died from the injuries sustained during the shootout, the Ecuadorean Attorney General’s office wrote on Twitter.

“A suspect, who was injured during the shootout with security personnel, was apprehended and moved, badly injured, to the [attorney general’s] unit in Quito. An ambulance from the fire department confirmed his death, the police are proceeding with collection of the cadaver,” the post read.

Ecuador President, candidates mourn Villavicencio’s death

Villavicencio, a former member of Ecuador’s National Assembly, held significant political influence in the country before the assembly was dissolved in May. He was a prominent contender in the upcoming first round of voting set for August 20, aiming to become the next President of Ecuador.

Guillermo Lasso, the current President of Ecuador, confirmed the death on Twitter, writing, “Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. My solidarity and condolences to his wife and daughters. For his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.

“The Security Cabinet will meet in a few minutes in Carondelet [Palace, seat of government]. I have asked the president of the CNE [National Electoral Council], Diana Atamaint; the State Attorney General, Diana Salazar; the President of the National Court of Justice, Iván Saquicela; and to the other State authorities to attend this meeting urgently to discuss this fact that has dismayed the country.

“Organised crime has come a long way, but the full weight of the law is going to fall on them.”

Luisa Gonzales Alcivar, another presidential candidate, said, “This makes us all mourn, my solidarity to all his family… This vile act will not go unpunished!”

“This is an attack against the country, democracy and peace of all Ecuadorian,” Daniel Nobo Azin, another presidential candidate, said.

Ecuador is grappling with a surge in gang violence and escalating drug trafficking, creating a challenging environment as the nation gears up for the Presidential polls. The election campaign had largely revolved around addressing the mounting violence in the country. Guillermo Lasso initiated the snap elections by dissolving the National Assembly and preempting potential impeachment proceedings.