teleSur
On Thursday, the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, decreed the state of emergency in the whole country for 60 days, after the security cabinet meeting due to the murder of the presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
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Attack Against Fernando Villavicencio Leaves Nine Wounded
Accompanied by the president of the National Electoral Council, Diana Atamaint, the president announced three days of mourning for the memory of the presidential candidate of the Creciendo movement, Fernando Villavicencio.
“in light of the loss of a democrat and a fighter, the elections are not suspended. These have to be held, and democracy has to be strengthened. This is the best reason to go to vote and defend democracy, the life and integrity of the Ecuadorian family and the future of the country”, Lasso said .
AHORA | Mensaje del presidente @LassoGuillermo a la Nación.
FB: https://t.co/StxK1QmWdd
YT: https://t.co/ew8QfGkCPo— Comunicación Ecuador ���� (@ComunicacionEc)
August 10, 2023
According to the correspondent of the teleSUR news multiplatform in Ecuador, Elena Rodriguez, the head of state described the attack that ended the life of the presidential candidate as a political crime with a terrorist character.
“We are not going to hand over power and democratic institutions to organized crime, even if it is disguised as political organizations. We must banish hatred and revenge as a political practice,” added the president.
The journalist pointed out that President Lasso indicated that those responsible for the crime left an explosive device at the site, which was later detonated by the authorities.
#Ecusdor| Se confirma, habrá una declaración de prensa. Intervendrán el presidente Guillermo Lasso y la presidenta del CNE, Diana Atamaint. No se admitirán preguntas. pic.twitter.com/fTW1z3BVb9
— Elena Rodríguez Yánez (@ElenaDeQuito)
August 10, 2023
The head of the CNE, Diana Atamaint informed that despite the murder of the presidential candidate of the Creciendo movement, the elections will be held on August 20 as scheduled.
#Ecuador| la presidenta del @cnegobec, Diana Atamaint ratificó que la fecha de las elecciones son inamovibles y que se cumplirá el calendario electoral tal y como se tenía planificado. pic.twitter.com/rumZnRROBG
— Elena Rodríguez Yánez (@ElenaDeQuito)
August 10, 2023
She also indicated that the electoral schedule approved by the National Assembly and the country’s authorities will not be altered.
Ecuador’s Interior Minister, Juan Zapata, confirmed on Wednesday the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio after he was shot after leaving a rally at the Anderson School, located in the north of Quito.
The attack occurred at approximately 18H00 (local time), in the middle of the campaign for the elections to be held next August 20.
After being shot several times, Fernando Villavicencio was taken to a medical center near the sector, where his death was confirmed.
A few days ago, Fernando Villavicencio had denounced that he and his work and security team were receiving threats from criminal groups linked to criminal gangs operating in the country.
