Leaders of the Construye Movement indicated at a press conference that they leaned towards Zurita at the last moment due to the “lack” of a pronouncement from the National Electoral Council (CNE) on the initial decision that Villavicencio’s partner in the presidential binomial, Andrea González, would take the place of the assassinated candidate, which generated a controversy. González, 36, will continue as a vice-presidential candidate.
“He could not allow his political project to be lost before the National Electoral Council due to a possible dismissal (or disqualification) of his candidacy… he had to fight for it,” said Zurita when accepting the designation of the movement, while his running mate assured that ” There would not be a more suitable person (than Christian) to replace the void that Fernando leaves us”.
Zurita, 53 years old and with a long career in the Ecuadorian press and television, said that “revenge against the mafias in this country will be to vote for Fernando Villavicencio (on the ballot paper that has his image printed on it) and from there we will undertake a path of struggle to fulfill what he dreamed of”.
Villavicencio was one of eight registered candidates for the presidential election. The 59-year-old politician was not among the favorites, with barely 10% of the preferences, although he was a recognized figure for having denounced various cases of alleged government corruption and organized crime in the past in the middle of the electoral campaign.
Despite the announcement, the electoral body should pronounce itself so that Zurita’s candidacy can remain firm, according to the communicator himself.
The day before, Villavicencio’s widow, Verónica Sarauz, described as “arbitrary” and “illegal” that González lead the pairing, arguing that the candidacies “are inalienable” and that González should maintain his vice-presidential candidacy. He added that in case Otherwise, the electorate would be misled and “the vote could be null… and my husband’s death would have been in vain.”
The Construye Movement was urged to redefine its binomial after the assassination of Villavicencio, because on Sunday night the mandatory debate of the candidates who aspire to replace President Guillermo Lasso, who called unprecedented early elections after closing Congress, was taking place. in the midst of a political trial against him.
The debate will take place in the middle of a country in mourning and shaken by the shooting of Villavicencio that occurred on Wednesday after leaving a political rally. On Friday, an Ecuadorian judge ordered the preventive detention of six Colombians for their alleged involvement in the murder of the 59-year-old politician, who was a well-known figure for having denounced various cases of alleged government corruption and organized crime in the past in the midst of the electoral campaign.
Until now the authorities have not disclosed the possible motive for the murder and who or who would be behind it.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
