Ecuadorian candidate killed at event.
OAN’s Abril Elfi
11:43 AM – Thursday, August 10, 2023
Fernando Villavicencio, one of Ecuador’s presidential candidates, was assassinated at a campaign event just days before the election.
On Wednesday, Villavicencio, 59, was reportedly shot three times in the head while leaving a campaign rally at a school in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The election was just 11 days away.
Guillermo Lasso, the president of Ecuador, promised the murder would not go unpunished, adding that “organized crime has come a long way, but the full weight of the law will fall on them.” Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency, an immediate nationwide deployment of armed forces, and three days of national mourning.
The Attorney General’s Office of Ecuador said in a statement that the gunman passed away in custody after a shootout with security guards.
According to Interior Minister Juan Zapata, six others were also arrested in connection with the assassination. All the men involved in the shooting were reported as being foreign nationals who are part of an organized criminal group.
Just days ago, the presidential candidate was shown on video discussing how he had been warned to have extra protection at rallies.
“Here I am Mrs. Luisa González. They have told me to wear a bulletproof vest but here I am in a sweaty shirt, let the drug lords come, let the hitmen come,” said Villavicencio.
Footage of the shooting also appears to be circulating on social media.
The footage reportedly shows Villavicencio exiting the campaign event and walking towards a car while being surrounded by a large number of law enforcement officers and bystanders. As he goes into the back seat of an automobile, at least 12 gunshots can be heard.
Nine other people were also injured in the attack, including a candidate for the National Assembly and two police officers.
Electoral Council President Diana Atamaint stated that the presidential election on August 20th is scheduled to continue as planned.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
with Landon Starbuck
with Bob Bianchi
with Joe Allen
with Dr. Jeff Barke
BENGALURU (Reuters) – South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group said on Tuesday it plans to launch more electric vehicles under the Hyundai and…
BERLIN (Reuters) – German technology group Robert Bosch said on Tuesday that it will establish a joint venture with TSMC, Infineon and…
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) said on Tuesday that its board had approved a 3.5 billion euro ($3.8 billion)…
By Gwladys Fouche OSLO (Reuters) – Meta Platforms is asking a court in Norway to stop a fine the Nordic country’s data…
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...