Ecuador presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio assassinated at campaign event

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated at a campaign event in Quito on Thursday. Villavicencio, a vocal critic of the government, was shot multiple times in the head and chest. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting political figures in Ecuador.

Villavicencio was giving a speech at a rally in the La Floresta neighborhood of Quito when he was attacked. Witnesses say that two men approached Villavicencio and opened fire on him. Villavicencio was pronounced dead at the scene.

Villavicencio was a controversial figure in Ecuadorian politics. He was a former military officer who had turned against the government. He was a vocal critic of President Guillermo Lasso and had accused the government of corruption and human rights abuses.

Villavicencio's assassination has sparked outrage in Ecuador. The opposition has called for Lasso to resign and for a full investigation into the killing. Lasso has condemned the assassination and has promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The assassination of Villavicencio is a major blow to Ecuadorian democracy. It is the latest in a series of attacks on political figures in the country. In recent years, there have been several high-profile assassinations of journalists, judges, and politicians. These attacks have created a climate of fear and intimidation in Ecuador.

The assassination of Villavicencio is a reminder of the dangers that political figures face in Ecuador. It is also a reminder of the need for strong democratic institutions to protect the rights of all citizens.

In the aftermath of Villavicencio's assassination, there have been calls for a national dialogue to address the political violence in Ecuador. There is a need for all political actors to come together and find a way to resolve their differences peacefully. The assassination of Villavicencio should not be allowed to divide Ecuadorians. It should be a wake-up call for all Ecuadorians to come together and build a more peaceful and democratic future for their country.

Here are some of the possible motives for Villavicencio's assassination:

• He was a vocal critic of the government and had accused the government of corruption and human rights abuses.
• He was a former military officer who had turned against the government.
• He was a potential threat to the government.
• He was involved in a power struggle within the opposition.
• He was killed by a rogue actor who was not affiliated with any political group.

It is still too early to say for sure who was responsible for Villavicencio's assassination. However, the assassination is a major blow to Ecuadorian democracy and a reminder of the dangers that political figures face in the country.