ECUADOR-ELECTIONS-POPE – TELAM Agency
Pope Francis today condemned the “unjustifiable violence” of the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, Ecuador’s presidential candidate shot this week in Quito, and encouraged all political forces to unite “in favor of peace.”
“Received the sad news of the murder of Mr. Fernando Villavicencio, the Holy Father wishes to extend his deep condolences to your excellency, to the family of the deceased and to all the beloved Ecuadorian people”; he raised a telegram sent by the Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, to the Archbishop of Quito, José Espinoza Mateus.
“Likewise, faced with the suffering caused by unjustifiable violence, which he condemns with all his might, His Holiness calls on all citizens and political forces to unite in a common effort in favor of peace”; he added the letter released by the Vatican.
Villavicencio, 59, was shot this week as he left a meeting with supporters at a Quito school, amid a wave of violence in Ecuador attributed to a war between drug gangs, which is also being waged in prisons.
He was one of the eight presidential candidates and was running second or third, according to the polls, which show the correísta Luisa González as a favorite, for the elections on the 20th of this month.
The assassinated politician, a candidate for the Construye and Gente Buena movements, had denounced threats against him and his campaign team last week.
Source: Ambito
