According to top officials, Ecuadoran presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead after holding a rally in Quito on Wednesday evening.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, President Guillermo Lasso blamed Villavicencio’s death on “organized crime” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio,” he said. “For his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.”
The 59-year-old moderate was one of eight contenders in the country’s presidential election first round, which was planned for August 20.
Officials say Villavicencio was assassinated as he was leaving a stadium in northern Quito following a campaign rally.
El Universo, the country’s primary newspaper, said that he was slain “hitman-style and with three shots to the head.”
Villavicencio had complained earlier this month that he and his staff were getting threats.
