Updated Aug 9, 2023 - World

Ecuador presidential candidate assassinated

Rebecca Falconer

People take cover after shots were fired at the end of a rally of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in Quito, Ecuador, on Wednesday. Photo: Stringer/AFP via Getty Images

Fernando Villavicencio, an anti-corruption presidential candidate in Ecuador's upcoming election, was killed after shots were fired at a campaign rally in the capital, Quito, Wednesday, the country's president confirmed.

What they're saying: President Guillermo Lasso said in a statement he's "outraged and shocked" by the country's first-ever assassination on the campaign trail.

"I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished," he said. "Organized crime has come a long way, but the full weight of the law is going to fall on them."

The big picture: Villavicencio was known for speaking out on connections between government officials and organized crime, the New York Times notes.

The 59-year-old former journalist was one of eight presidential candidates taking part in early elections, which were scheduled for Aug. 20.
Violence related to narcotics trafficking has escalated over the past five years in the previously mostly safe country, per the NYT.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Ecuador presidential candidate assassinated

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