Andrea González Náder, Villavicencio's successor and former running mate, expressed her distress during an exclusive interview with CNN calling the incident a "disturbing moment" for both the region and the global democracy.
Villavicencio, a prominent anti-corruption campaigner and lawmaker, was fatally shot during a campaign rally on August 9, just days before the scheduled first round of presidential elections set for August 20. The shocking act of violence has ignited a national and international conversation about political stability and security in the South American nation.
In the wake of Villavicencio's death, Andrea González Náder was chosen to carry on his legacy as the new presidential candidate for his political party, Movimiento Construye. Náder was seen wearing a bulletproof vest during her candidacy acceptance ceremony in Quito, underscoring the prevailing sense of vulnerability, CNN reported on August 13.
Villavicencio's campaign had centred around tackling crime and corruption, issues that have significantly impacted Ecuador in recent years. His bold stance against drug trafficking violence made him a target, as he openly criticised the criminal elements within the country. His assassination marks a tragic loss for Ecuador and further emphasises the challenges the nation faces in maintaining law and order.
The circumstances surrounding Villavicencio's death have given rise to questions about security and the role of the state. Villavicencio's widow, Veronica Sarauz, expressed her dissatisfaction with Náder's appointment and held the state accountable for her husband's murder.
"The state was in charge of Fernando’s security. The state is directly responsible for the murder of my husband. They did not protect him as they should have protected him,”
said Sarauz on August 12. She demanded answers about the inadequate security measures that failed to protect her husband, a presidential candidate.
Following the assassination, an outpouring of condemnation emerged both domestically and internationally. Authorities managed to apprehend the suspected shooter, who subsequently died in police custody after an exchange of gunfire. Additionally, six Colombian nationals were arrested in connection with the killing, highlighting potential links to organised criminal groups.
In response to the incident, the Ecuadorian Army Command deployed 4,000 personnel, including military and police officers, to the Zonal 8 Detention Center in Guayas province. This move aimed to establish control over weapons, ammunition, and explosives within the prison, in light of concerns related to the safety of high-profile prisoners, including "Fito," a convicted drug trafficker.
Villavicencio's own statements about threats from incarcerated individuals, including "Fito," raise unsettling questions about the nexus between criminal elements and political violence. Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso's decision to relocate "dangerous prisoners," including "Fito," to the La Roca maximum security prison demonstrates the gravity of the situation.
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