7 suspects in presidential candidate assassination killed in prison, Ecuador deals with crisis

According to an announcement made on October 7, President Lasso dismissed two officials, including the head of the prison administration and the head of the police investigation unit. At the same time, the head of the Ecuadorian national police was also removed and replaced by Mr. Cesar Augusto Zapata Correa, a long-time member of the force with nearly 35 years of experience.

The announcement came after six suspects in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio were killed in Litoral prison on October 6 and another was murdered in a prison in the capital Quito on October 7.

Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio before his assassination

The official in charge of the prison where the six people died has been detained for questioning, according to the Ecuadorian president. Lasso also ordered the transfer of six other people suspected of involvement in the Villavicencio assassination to ensure their safety. Ecuador's prison authority is also under investigation.

Violence has spiked in Ecuador in recent years and the latest killings appear to indicate growing lawlessness.

Mr Villavicencio, a prominent journalist who exposed corruption and organized crime, was shot dead at a campaign event in August. Police arrested six people that day and one suspect was killed. Seven others were later arrested.

According to the Ecuadorian president’s official social media account, Lasso met with security agencies on October 7 and canceled a trip to South Korea to “solve the crisis in the prison system.” The government had previously pledged to identify those responsible for Villavicencio’s assassination.

Ecuador’s interior minister said on October 6 that the police investigation into Villavicencio’s murder had been completed, but that it had not yet been made public. The United States has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those behind the killing.

The second round of Ecuador's presidential election will be held on October 15.

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