Two of the candidates who appear at the top of the preferences in the presidential race, Otto Sonnenholzner and Yaku Pérez, announced Thursday that they will suspend any massive events so as not to risk the safety of the people.
The 59-year-old presidential candidate, who was known for denouncing and confronting public officials and businessmen allegedly linked to acts of corruption, was shot to death on Wednesday as he left a proselytizing act at a school in the north of the capital. Six other people were also injured in the attack, and one of the alleged murderers died in the crossfire, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
President Guillermo Lasso decreed three days of national mourning and a state of emergency for which military personnel are mobilized throughout the national territory, while in various operations in different sectors of Quito six people have been arrested.
“I think this is the darkest hour for Ecuadorian democracy in decades,” former Vice President Alberto Dahik (1992-1995) told The Associated Press, for whom Villavicencio’s death represents a blow that threatens Ecuadorian democracy.
Dahik regretted that Ecuador has entered the group of countries “where violence threatens the very stability of democracy and its institutions,” as happened in Colombia, which experienced the assassination of politicians Jorge Eliécer Gaitán in 1948 and Luis Carlos Galán in 1989, or as happened in Mexico with the former official presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio in 1994.
Lasso, in power since 2021, announced Thursday morning a new state of emergency that limits citizen rights such as assembly and information, and in a press conference together with the president of the National Electoral Council, he ratified that the elections scheduled for the 20th of August.
“Given the loss of a democrat and a fighter, the elections are not suspended, on the contrary, they have to be held and democracy has to be strengthened,” Lasso said.
The president attributed the murder of Villavicencio to organized crime, although until now the authorities have not given more details about the motive and the possible group behind the attack.
Villavicencio was one of eight presidential candidates seeking the Ecuadorean vote on August 20 to replace Lasso, who shortened his own term in office and dissolved the Assembly, when that body was impeaching him with a view to removing him. Both the new president and the new legislators will have to complete the current term that ends in May 2025.
The assassinated candidate participated in the Construye movement, in partnership with the environmentalist Andrea González. The former Ecuadorian assemblyman and politician, in addition to being a journalist, made permanent complaints throughout his career.
Among the latest public accusations he presented on Tuesday before the Prosecutor’s Office on the alleged irregular concession of 21 oil fields in the country, during the government of former President Rafael Correa.
Also on Wednesday, a few hours before he died, Villavicencio had indicated that mafias had ties to the public force, for which reason he announced a purge and the attack on criminal gangs.
The political consultant and professor at the Andean University, Gustavo Isch, said that Villavicencio’s death was warned and the State did not have the capacity to protect him. “His death suited many sectors of power,” he considered, noting that the politician was seen as someone who had well-documented cases of corruption.
After confirmation of the candidate’s death, dozens of supporters wearing white t-shirts, carrying flags, posters and shouting took to the streets of cities like Riobamba, Cuenca and Guaranda, among others, to protest and demand justice.
Villavicencio was in fourth place in preferences with less than 10% of voting intentions, behind Luisa González, Otto Sonnenholzner and Yaku Pérez, although polls indicate that there is still 40% indecision.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
