QUITO, Ecuador — The shocking assassination of Ecuadoran presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio occurred at a political rally in Quito on Wednesday night, just under two weeks before the crucial national elections, according to police reports. This violent act has sent shockwaves through the nation, raising concerns about safety and the political climate in Ecuador.

Villavicencio, who previously served as a member of Ecuador’s National Assembly before its unexpected dissolution in May, was a prominent figure among the leading candidates in the upcoming elections scheduled for Aug. 20. He was brutally shot multiple times as he exited a rally at a high school in northern Quito, as reported by General Manuel Iñiguez, the deputy commander of the Ecuadoran national police. His assassination marks a grim moment in the nation’s electoral history.

A harrowing video circulating on social media, which has been verified by police, captured the moment Villavicencio entered a vehicle under the protection of security guards when gunfire erupted. He was urgently transported to a nearby clinic, where he was tragically pronounced dead at the age of 59. This incident has sparked outrage and fear among the populace, highlighting the dangers faced by political figures in the current climate.

Authorities have reported that one of the suspected assailants was shot and apprehended at the scene, but unfortunately, he later succumbed to his injuries while in police custody, according to a federal police officer who spoke to The Washington Post. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures for political candidates and the escalating violence in Ecuador.

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The audacious attack has profoundly shocked the Ecuadorian public and signifies a pivotal moment for a country that has historically been known for its peace but is now grappling with unprecedented levels of gang-related violence. Villavicencio, known for his fierce criticism of government corruption, had received numerous death threats as he vowed to combat drug trafficking organizations that have been wreaking havoc across the nation.

In the wake of this tragic assassination, two other presidential candidates, Jan Topic and Yaku Pérez, announced the suspension of their electoral campaigns as a sign of respect and solidarity with Villavicencio’s family and supporters. This decision reflects the profound impact of violence on the political landscape and the urgent need for safety measures.

Just hours following the assassination, Villavicencio’s campaign team reported on social media that armed individuals were attacking their offices in Quito, raising alarms about the safety of political staff and the intensifying threats against political entities in Ecuador.

According to the Ecuadorian attorney general’s office, nine individuals were injured in the chaotic assault, including a candidate for the National Assembly and two police officers, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence associated with this political strife.

The assailants also launched a grenade towards Villavicencio’s team, which thankfully did not detonate. However, a controlled explosion of another bomb subsequently took place, indicating the level of premeditation involved in this violent act against the candidate and his supporters.

Just last week, Villavicencio revealed that his campaign had received two death threats within a span of less than 48 hours. One threat originated from an individual claiming to have connections to a leader of one of Ecuador’s most formidable drug trafficking organizations, Los Choneros. The first threat was directed at a campaign director in Manta, a coastal city where a mayor was recently murdered. Villavicencio was reportedly warned that if he continued to mention “Fito,” the leader of the Choneros, he would face dire consequences.

The second threat was a WhatsApp message sent from a number registered in Indonesia, accompanied by a profile picture of the gang leader, which was directed to Villavicencio’s security coordinator. This alarming pattern of threats underscores the perilous environment that political candidates are navigating in Ecuador today.

In a statement, Villavicencio expressed his commitment to continue the fight alongside the courageous Ecuadorians who are determined to liberate their homeland from the clutches of organized crime and the drug trade that has infiltrated their society.

As the nation approaches the polls, drug trafficking has spiraled out of control in Ecuador, a small South American nation situated between the two largest cocaine-producing countries, Colombia and Peru. The involvement of Mexican and Albanian drug cartels has ushered in a wave of gang violence unlike anything the country has experienced before, resulting in record levels of homicides, brutal prison riots, and an influx of cocaine destined for both Europe and the United States, posing a severe challenge to law enforcement.

In light of the escalating security threats faced by political candidates, many have prioritized strategies to combat the rising tide of violence throughout their campaigns. The situation has become dire, with the need for robust protective measures and effective policies to ensure the safety of candidates and voters alike.

Villavicencio had a security team of 20 police officers assigned to protect him. Notably, six of the eight presidential candidates are also under the protection of government-provided security, illustrating the severity of the threat landscape as the elections approach.

President Guillermo Lasso called for unexpected snap elections after dissolving the National Assembly, a move aimed at avoiding imminent impeachment proceedings against him. Villavicencio had been part of the legislative oversight committee that recommended against impeachment, yet lawmakers voted to proceed with an impeachment trial regardless of the recommendation.

On the night of the assassination, Lasso expressed his outrage and shock via a post on Twitter, which has recently been rebranded as X, condemning the brutal murder of Villavicencio. His statement reflects the broader sentiment of dismay and anger felt throughout the nation in the aftermath of this tragic event.

“In memory of Villavicencio and his relentless fight for justice, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” Lasso stated. He has called for an urgent meeting with his security cabinet, which includes the president of the electoral council and the attorney general, among other officials, to address the shocking killing that has deeply disturbed the country’s sense of security.

“Organized crime has evolved significantly, but we will ensure that the full extent of the law is enforced against them,” Lasso emphasized, signaling a commitment to addressing the growing threat of crime in Ecuador.

Despite polling behind at least two other candidates, Villavicencio had been gaining momentum and support in recent days, indicating that his message resonated with a significant portion of the electorate.

In a previous press conference held in Guayaquil, Villavicencio proposed the construction of a new high-security prison to house Fito and other gang leaders, aiming to isolate them from the general population and disrupt their operations. This plan was part of his broader campaign strategy to tackle the pervasive influence of organized crime in Ecuador.

“Our campaign proposals directly challenge these criminal structures,” he stated, candidly addressing the threats he faced. “I am here, showing my face, and I refuse to be intimidated. For two decades, I have fought against these criminal organizations and I reaffirm: I am not afraid of them.”

Schmidt and Durán reported from Bogotá, Colombia.