As is known, presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was assassinated last Wednesday during a campaign rally in the Ecuadorian capital Quito, reported receiving death threats from the "Fito" gang leader.
Thousands of soldiers and security personnel were mobilized to raid the prison, showing the level of danger of the gang led by Fito. Photo: AFP
On Saturday, Ecuadorian security forces conducted a major raid on Prison 8 in Guayaquil, where “Fito,” the head of the powerful “Los Choneros” criminal group, is serving a 34-year sentence for organized crime, drug trafficking and murder. They also seized a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives at the prison.
Photos and videos of the operation posted on social media by Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso showed a large, bearded man being tackled by security guards and the same man lying face down on the floor in his underwear alongside other prisoners.
The president explained that “Fito” had been transferred to the maximum security prison known as “The Rock”. Mr Lasso blamed the Villavicencio murder on organised crime. He said the Macias move was meant “for the safety of citizens and detainees”.
Gang leader Fito was taken out of prison by security forces on Saturday. Photo: El Pais
Villavicencio once said that an "emissary" from the gang leader contacted him and said: "If I continue..., they will finish me off." However, Villavicencio believes that the support of the people will keep him safe and continue his campaign.
Before the prison crackdown, six Colombians had been arrested in connection with Villavicencio’s murder, while a seventh was killed in a shootout with police. Authorities have not said who hired or paid the assassins.
Villavicencio is one of eight presidential candidates from the Ecuadorian Construction Movement. The party said it would nominate Villavicencio’s running mate to replace him. “The movement will transfer its presidential candidacy to Andrea Gonzalez,” the party said.
Gonzalez is scheduled to attend an election debate in Quito on Sunday. Her campaign focuses on environmental protection, especially regarding oceans and mangroves, as well as combating wildlife trafficking and deforestation. By law, votes cast for Villvicencio will automatically be transferred to Gonzalez.
Huy Hoang (according to AP, AFP, DW)
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