Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Assassinated

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio speaks during an election campaign in Quito, August 9, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)

Earlier, local Ecuadorian media reported that Mr. Villavicencio, a former legislator, was shot at an election campaign event in the capital Quito.

On social network X, President Lasso affirmed that murder will not go unpunished.

“Organized crime has gone too far, but the full weight of the law will be brought down on them,” Mr. Lasso wrote.

President Lasso announced that he would chair an emergency meeting of senior security officials following the incident.

Ecuadorian authorities are investigating the assassination of Mr. Villavicencio.

Several videos appeared on social media showing that at the election campaign event attended by Mr. Lasso, attendees took cover and screamed when gunshots were heard.

According to another video, Mr. Villavicencio was taken into a white van after the shooting.

Mr. Villavicencio (59 years old) is the candidate representing the Build Ecuador Movement. According to the AP news agency, he is one of the most important voices against corruption in this South American country, especially in the period 2007-2017.

According to opinion polls, with a support rate of 7.5%, Mr. Villavicencio ranks 5th out of 8 candidates in the presidential election to take place on August 20.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ung-vien-tong-thong-ecuador-bi-am-sat-post766577.html

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