Ecuadorian Authorities to Detain Colombian Suspects in Presidential Candidate’s Assassination
Ecuador has announced that six Colombian men will be held for at least a month while the country investigates their alleged involvement in the murder of Fernando Villavicencio, a presidential candidate known for his campaign against crime and corruption. The announcement was made by the national prosecutor’s office on Friday. As the investigation unfolds, it is likely that the suspects will remain in custody for an extended period of time. If convicted, they could face up to 26 years in prison each.
Villavicencio’s assassination, which took place in broad daylight in the capital city of Quito, sent shockwaves through the country just weeks before a special presidential election. The incident underscored the growing issue of crime in Ecuador and the challenges it poses to the country’s future leader. Gang-related violence and activities of cartels have resulted in thousands of deaths in recent years.
The Colombian suspects were apprehended while hiding in a house in Quito, and law enforcement officers discovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives in their possession. Villavicencio, who had reported receiving threats from affiliates of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, believed that his campaign posed a threat to organized crime groups.
The porous border between Ecuador and Colombia has historically allowed armed Colombian groups to find refuge in Ecuador, amidst the region’s drug trafficking and political conflicts. Ecuador, with its extensive coastline and strategic ports, has become a major hub for cocaine smuggling from Colombia and Peru.
Colombian assassins, known as sicarios, have gained notoriety for carrying out high-profile killings. The assassination of presidential candidate Carlos Pizarro aboard a commercial flight in 1990 and the involvement of Colombian paramilitaries in the killing of Ecuadorian candidate Jamie Hurtado in 1999 are notable examples. In 2021, Colombian ex-soldiers played a role in the assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moïse, which plunged the Caribbean nation into chaos.
Former Colombian soldiers, who often struggle to find livelihoods after leaving the military, have been recruited by various companies for different purposes, including consulting and security. Some Colombian soldiers have received training from the U.S. military and have been involved in international conflicts, such as guarding oil pipelines in the Middle East and fighting against Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen.
Ecuador has been grappling with intensified power struggles and territorial disputes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug cartels have been engaging in violent battles, enlisting local gangs and even recruiting children. The result has been an unprecedented wave of violence, with the first half of this year already witnessing more violent deaths compared to the same period last year. In response, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency and deployed additional military personnel across the country.
Fernando Villavicencio, an independent journalist turned anti-graft campaigner, had been a vocal critic of the government during President Rafael Correa’s tenure. His investigations led to corruption charges against Correa, who was sentenced in absentia. Villavicencio himself faced imprisonment and eventually sought asylum in Peru.
The assassination of Villavicencio serves as a message to Ecuadorian society that standing up against corruption and illegal activities can have dire consequences. It highlights the pressing need for effective measures to combat crime and protect those who fight against it.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
