THE president of Ecuador has paid tribute to a presidential candidate who was shot and killed at a marketing campaign occasion.
Fernando Villavicencio’s dying at age 59 was confirmed by Ecuador’s present president, Guillermo Lasso, on X, previously often known as Twitter.
“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio,” Lasso wrote hours after the tragedy on Wednesday.
“My solidarity and condolences to his spouse and daughters. For his reminiscence and for his combat, I guarantee you that this crime is not going to go unpunished.
He concluded: “Organized crime has gone too far, however the full weight of the legislation goes to fall on them.”
Villavicencio was getting right into a automobile after a political rally in Quito, the nation’s capital, when a gunman shot him within the head.
The assassination suspect died after being arrested, in keeping with the lawyer basic’s workplace.
Learn our Fernando Villavicencio weblog for the most recent updates…
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About Fernando Villavicencio’s upbringing
Fernando Alcibaides Villavicencio Valencia was born on October 11, 1963, in Alausí, Ecuador.
Fernando was broadly often known as a member of the Nationwide Meeting and a candidate for the 2023 Ecuadorian presidential election.
Earlier than his political profession, Fernando held a profession in journalism.
Fernando obtained a level in journalism and communication on the Cooperative College of Colombia.
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Two useless, one injured after capturing
Fernando Villavicencio was shot a number of instances as he left the rally at a highschool in northern Quito, in keeping with Common Manuel Iñiguez of the Ecuadorian nationwide police.
Villavicencio was then rushed to a close-by clinic, the place he was pronounced useless on the age of 59.
A suspect within the candidate’s assassination died of wounds after being arrested by authorities in Ecuador, the lawyer basic’s workplace stated.
Common Manue Iñiguez additionally famous a police officer was injured within the assault.
The gunmen launched a grenade towards Villavicencio’s group, nonetheless, it didn’t explode.
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Fernando Villavicencio’s political celebration
Fernando Villavicencio was a part of the Movimiento Construye Ecuador celebration since 2021.
The Movimiento Construye was based in 2004 and initially named Ruptura 25.
They joined the Democrat Left in 2016 earlier than changing into the Movimiento Construye Ecuador celebration in 2020.
Previous to his most up-to-date affiliated celebration, Fernando was a part of the Coalition Motion from 2018 till 2021.
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Fernando was vocal about political corruption
Villavicencio was a vocal critic of corruption, particularly in the course of the tenure of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017.
Villavicencio’s marketing campaign adviser, Patricio Zuquilanda, advised the Related Press that his consumer had obtained a number of dying threats earlier than the capturing and reported them to the authorities.
“The Ecuadorian persons are crying and Ecuador is mortally wounded,” he advised the outlet. “Politics can’t result in the dying of any member of society.”
Former vp Otto Sonnenholzner echoed Zuquilanda’s phrases in a information convention saying, “We’re dying, drowning in a sea of tears and we don’t need to stay like this. We demand that you simply do one thing.”
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Fernando survived by his household
On August 9, 2023, Fernando Villavicencio was shot useless at throughout his political rally in Quito.
His assassination comes weeks earlier than Ecuador’s election day which is about to happen on August 20.
He’s survived by his spouse and 5 kids.
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Suspect ‘died of accidents’
A suspect within the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio reportedly died of their wounds, in keeping with Ecuador’s lawyer basic’s workplace.
The suspect is alleged to have died after being arrested by authorities.
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Fernando Villavicencio’s political beginnings
Fernando moved to a profession in politics in 2013 when he turned a parliamentary assistant to Cléver Jiménez.
On Could 14, 2017, Fernando was sworn in as a member of the Nationwide Meeting and remained in his place till Could 2023 when the legislative physique was dissolved.
On June 10, the Ecuador native introduced his candidacy for the 2023 presidential race in his house nation.
He was sadly assassinated Wednesday night time shortly after his presidential rally at a highschool.
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Fernando Villavicencio pictured
Fernando Villavicencio was shot to dying by gunmen at a political rally in Quito Wednesday night time, a video revealed on social media.
Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio speaks throughout a marketing campaign rallyCredit score: Reuters 
Former Meeting member and presidential candidate, Fernando VillavicencioCredit score: AFP -
Fernando was a former journalist
Earlier than coming into the world of politics Villavicencio studied journalism and communication on the Cooperative College of Colombia.
He labored with one of many largest every day newspapers in Ecuador, El Universo.
Throughout his time on the paper, he criticized Ecuadorian politician Gustavo Noboa.
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President is ‘outraged and shocked’
The present president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, shared a press release to X in Spanish.
“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio,” Lasso wrote.
“My solidarity and condolences to his spouse and daughters. For his reminiscence and for his combat, I guarantee you that this crime is not going to go unpunished.
“The Safety Cupboard will meet in a couple of minutes in Carondelet. I’ve requested the president of the CNE, Diana Atamaint; the State Lawyer Common, Diana Salazar; the President of the Nationwide Court docket of Justice, Iván Saquicela; and to the opposite State authorities to attend this assembly urgently to debate this incontrovertible fact that has dismayed the nation.”
He concluded: “Organized crime has gone too far, however the full weight of the legislation goes to fall on them.”
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Fernando Villavicencio was threatened lately
The Ecuadorian presidential candidate was reportedly threatened lately, BBC reported.
Villavicencio stated he and his workforce had been threatened by the chief of a gang linked to drug trafficking, the outlet reported.
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Ecuador coping with rising crime
A lot of the presidential marketing campaign has centered on the rising crime the nation has handled lately.
The nation is reportedly seeing document ranges of gang violence and drug trafficking.
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Video exhibits terrifying second
Movies from the marketing campaign occasion shared on social media seem to indicate Fernando Villavicencio strolling along with his safety away from the Quito highschool.
After the presidential candidate will get in a automobile, gunshots are heard as individuals scream and take cowl.
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Officer injured in the course of the assault
A police officer was additionally injured within the assault, officers confirmed.
The alleged attacker reportedly tossed a grenade towards Villavicencio nevertheless it didn’t explode, The Washington Submit reported.
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Ecuador president shares assertion
The present president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, has shared a press release confirming Fernando Villavicencio’s dying.
“I guarantee you that this crime is not going to go unpunished,” Lasso stated.
“Organized crime has gone too far, however they may really feel the complete weight of the legislation.”
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Rushed to hospital
The Ecuadorian candidate was rushed to a close-by clinic, the place he was pronounced useless, The Washington Submit reported.
Fernando Villavicencio was 59.
