Ecuador declares state of emergency after assassination of presidential candidate
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Ecuador declares a state of emergency following the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. This was stated by President Guillermo Lasso in an address to citizens, which broadcast on YouTube.
He said that he was preparing to sign two decrees. One is about declaring a national three-day mourning in connection with the death of Villavicencio. “The second decree that declares a state of emergency for 60 days. From now on, the armed forces are mobilizing throughout the country to guarantee the safety of citizens and free democratic elections on August 20,” Lasso said.
He also said that Villavicencio’s attacker died after being taken to hospital after being wounded. The attackers also threw a grenade to escape, but it did not explode and was destroyed by security forces. Six people were arrested in connection with the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.
“This is a political crime that acquires a terrorist character. And we have no doubt that this murder is an attempt to sabotage the electoral process,” the President of Ecuador stressed, adding that the murder took place a few days before the first round of the presidential election.
The authorities of Ecuador have decided not to change the date of the elections, security measures will be strengthened at the polling stations.
Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was killed after a campaign rally in the capital of the Republic of Quito, which was held at the Coliseo TW Anderson. An unknown person shot the politician three times in the head. He was taken to the hospital with no signs of life, where he was pronounced dead.
Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office said nine other people were injured in the incident, including parliamentary candidate Gizella Molina and two police officers.
In May, Lasso dissolved the national assembly and called for elections. Early presidential and parliamentary elections in Ecuador are scheduled for August 20. According to El Universo, a few weeks ago, Villavicencio reported threats and was granted police protection.
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