Political and civil violence in Ecuador increases after a shootout took place in the middle of a candidate’s campaign tour.
The murder of Fernando Villavicenciojournalist and presidential candidate in Ecuadorshocked all world politics but was only an expression of the process in which the Latin American country is involved: congressional intervention, entry of the Army into prisons and growth of organized crime. In this framework, a new attempt occurred this Thursday, involving a presidential candidate.
The event occurred in the city of Duranneighboring town of Guayaquilwhere a caravan headed by the candidate passed Daniel Noboawhich represents space National Democratic Action. In the midst of the leaders and the followers who accompanied the leader, a group of men opened fire, causing the politician’s security to immediately isolate him. The campaign event was immediately suspended, although no victims.
On their social networks, Daniel Noboa expressed himself in this regard: “They have just attacked in Duran against caravan in which we mobilized, thank God we came out unharmed. Intimidation and fear have no place in the country we love and for which we are committed to changing once and for all. We will continue the closing caravan today in Guayaquil, taking care of ourselves but with a lot of faith, optimism and determination. Thank you for your messages and encourage us to continue.”
The presidential candidate had already spoken out against the political and civil violence in Ecuador, after denouncing having received threats against him. As a symbol, she used a bulletproof vest throughout the presidential debate, held last Sunday, August 13.
For her part, the Ecuador Police reported that official troops have already been deployed in the area and that “the attack against the presidential candidate Daniel Noboa is ruled out“.
Elections in Ecuador: who are the candidates
The current president, William Lassoadvanced the elections in Ecuador -arranged initially for the year 2025- after a wave of public demonstrations against him was unleashed and he decided to intervene in Congress. There are eight leaders who are contesting the presidential race and, within this framework, the candidate who starts as a favorite is from Louise Gonzalez, of the Citizen Revolution Movement (former president’s party Rafael Correa).
In a second group of favoritism, the former vice president Otto Sonnenholzner; businessman and ex-soldier Jan Boric; and the indigenous referent Yaku Perezwho obtained third place in the 2021 elections. For his part, last Wednesday the National Electoral Council approved the candidacy of the journalist Christian Zuritawho replaces his colleague and murder victim Fernando Villavicencio.
Finally, the candidacies are completed by the businessman and former legislator Daniel Noboathe agro-industrial production engineer Xavier Hervas and the lawyer Bolivar Armijos.
Source: Ambito
