Anti-corruption presidential candidate assassinated at campaign event in Ecuador’s capital

 

Ecuadorian presidential contender Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead Wednesday by an unidentified shooter, with footage appearing to show the opposition candidate getting into a pickup truck before gunfire erupted.

 

Villavicencio’s assassination outside a campaign rally in the country’s capital of Quito was confirmed by President Guillermo Lasso, who alleged organized crime was behind the slaying.

 

“I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” he said in a statement. “Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law.”

 

The slain presidential hopeful was a married father of five was 59.

 

Ecuador’s attorney general’s office said a suspect died of wounds after being arrested by authorities. 

 

The alleged shooter was injured by “security personnel” and arrested, the office said. He was moved, badly injured, to the attorney general’s unit, though he was pronounced dead by a fire department ambulance at some point. 

Harrowing footage posted on social media appears to show Villavicencio walking outside following the rally with at least three guards as bystanders surrounded him. 

 

Just as he entered the backseat of the truck, multiple gunshots rang out as one guard quickly shut the door.

 

🚨 | #URGENTE: En cámara: el momento exacto en el que sicarios asesinan al candidato de derecha en Ecuador, Fernando Villavicencio. pic.twitter.com/HlGpr4swDc

 

 

 

— Orlando Avendaño (@OrlvndoA) August 10, 2023

 

 

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