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| People wave Ecuadorian flags to protest the killing of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio |
The shocking murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio on August 9th has sent shockwaves throughout Ecuador. In response, the country's bishops' conference has expressed its solidarity with Villavicencio's grieving family while strongly condemning the escalating violence that has plagued the nation. The murder has not only sparked concerns about security but has also raised questions about the integrity of the upcoming presidential election slated for August 20th.
In a poignant statement posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the bishops affirmed their commitment to join initiatives aimed at restoring security within Ecuador. The nation has been grappling with mounting violence perpetuated by drug cartels, resulting in a surge in murder rates and prompting mass migrations. This wave of violence has now cast a shadow over the credibility of the forthcoming presidential election.
"We also ratify our commitment to pray and work for peace based on liberty, justice, and truth," the statement emphasized, highlighting the bishops' unwavering dedication to fostering peace and stability in the country.
Villavicencio's tragic demise occurred as he left a campaign rally in Quito, Ecuador's capital, and entered a non-bulletproof vehicle. Tragically, the car was ambushed and shot at 40 times by assailants on motorcycles. The candidate had been vocal about the growing influence of drug cartels in Ecuador, whose strategic ports on the Pacific Ocean have become crucial transit points for the trafficking of cocaine bound for Asia and the United States. Villavicencio's campaign also centered on eradicating corruption from the nation's political landscape.
In the days leading up to his assassination, Villavicencio reported receiving death threats from a mafia leader with connections to Mexico's notorious Sinaloa Cartel. The slain candidate, a dedicated family man and former investigative journalist, had been positioned as a centrist contender with a 7.5% share of support in the polls, securing the fifth position among eight candidates. Despite his modest standing, he had a chance of securing the second-place outcome, a position that would have allowed him to participate in the subsequent runoff vote scheduled for October.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, in response to the tragedy, declared a three-day period of national mourning, coupled with a state of emergency. The latter measure empowers law enforcement to conduct searches of suspects' homes without requiring warrants. Nevertheless, Lasso confirmed that the initial round of the presidential elections would proceed as scheduled on August 20th. Seeking assistance in the investigation, President Lasso reached out to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the FBI confirmed its involvement in aiding the inquiry, according to sources from Reuters.
Ecuador, nestled between Colombia and Peru, had managed to evade the drug-related violence that plagued its neighboring countries for a significant period. However, this tranquility was disrupted in 2020 with the influx of Mexican drug cartels into the nation. Last year, Ecuador's National Police reported a staggering 4,500 homicides, a stark increase from 990 homicides in 2018. The homicide rate skyrocketed from 5.8 per 100,000 people in 2018 to 26.7 in 2022, as indicated by data from the Igarape Institute, a renowned public security think tank based in Rio de Janeiro.
In a bid to escape the violence and evade the harsh taxes imposed by local gangs on small businesses, many Ecuadorians have sought refuge in the United States. This year alone, approximately 35,000 Ecuadorians have been intercepted at the U.S. southern border after crossing without authorization, according to figures from the Department of Homeland Security.
Ecuador's capital, Quito, is slated to host the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress. Following an audience with Pope Francis in May, during which discussions centered on preparations for the congress and a potential papal visit, Archbishop Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus of Quito reflected on his country's circumstances. Expressing concerns about the current political climate, he remarked, "We are worried because we are seeing that politics is simply understood as a way to go after private interests, or ideological interests, and not as a way to seek the common good." Archbishop Mateus conveyed the hope of the Ecuadorian people for the Pope's blessings and prayers.
It's worth noting that Ecuador's president had dissolved the nation's congress in May amidst an impeachment vote, leading to a special election for a new president and Congress in August. Throughout these political upheavals, the bishops' conference consistently expressed their concerns, lamenting the exposure to criminal activities and describing the nation's politics as a "spectacle that is making nobody laugh."
