Ecuadorian presidential candidate Villavicencio shot to death

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead following a campaign rally in the capital, Quito, which led to the killing of a suspect who died of injuries sustained during a shootout, the country’s president says.

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead following a campaign rally in the capital, Quito, which led to the killing of a suspect who died of injuries sustained during a shootout, the country’s president says.

Guillermo Lasso confirmed the killing of Villavicencio on Wednesday and promised the crime would not go unpunished.

“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. My solidarity and condolences to his wife and daughters,” Lasso said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“For his memory and his fight, I assure you that this crime will not remain unpunished,” he said. “Organised crime has gone very far, but all the weight of the law will fall on them.”

Lasso said he would host top security officials at an urgent meeting.

Villavicencio, 59, a former legislator, was shot after a campaign event in Quito.