Fernando Villavicencio

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Name

Fernando Villavicencio

Description

Fernando Alcibiades Villavicencio Valencia (11 October 1963 – 9 August 2023) was an Ecuadorian politician and journalist who ran for president of Ecuador in the 2023 general election. He served as a member of the National Assembly from 2021 until the dissolution of the legislative body on 17 May 2023.

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Ecuadorian politician Fernando Villavicencio told the media that Los Choneros, a local armed wing of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, had threatened to kill him if he kept speaking about them and their criminal activities.

The anti-corruption campaigner Fernando Villavicencio was shot three times in the head leaving a campaign rally.

Villavicencio had vowed to crack down on criminal groups, often saying at rallies that the time for threats was over and that he would bring down drug trafficking. He told his supporters in early July 2023 that he was not afraid of death and that the only thing criminals could do was kill him, but that this would liberate an entire people.

Given the complexity of the investigation into the murder of Villavicencio, Ecuadorian authorities have requested the help of the FBI.

Before he was killed, Fernando Villavicencio had been threatened by Fito, the leader of the Los Choneros drug gang, which operates on the coast of Ecuador and is affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.

The day before his assassination, Fernando Villavicencio complained to the Public Prosecutor's Office about alleged irregularities in oil contracts negotiated during former president Rafael Correa's administration which had cost the country US$9 billion

Replacing Fernando Villavicencio who was assassinated on August 9, 2023, Christian Zurita has been named new presidential candidate of the party Construye

Ecuadorian police are also investigating Fabricio Colón Pico, the main micro trafficker in Quito, for his possible participation in the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio.

Ecuadorian authorities have arrested six Colombian nationals in connection with the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio. The suspects were captured in a house in the capital city of Quito, and police seized weapons, grenades, and vehicles from the scene.

A video of the rally in Quito posted on social media appears to show Villavicencio walking out of the event surrounded by guards. He then gets into a white pickup truck, after which gunshots are heard. People scream and run around the truck in commotion.

Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito" is accused of sending death threats to Ecuador's murdered presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio.

Verónica Sarauz, Fernando Villavicencio's widow blames state for his assassination

Statement from Ecuador's attorney general's office said one of the suspects in the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio died in custody from injuries sustained during a shooting.

Guillermo Lasso, President of Ecuador, declared that the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio was a political crime amounting to terrorism and that he had no doubt that the assassination was an attempt to sabotage the electoral process.

Fernando Villavicencio, the presidential candidate, had received at least three death threats and reported them to the authorities before he was shot. One person was detained as a result.

Claims from

Ecuadorian politician Fernando Villavicencio told the media that Los Choneros, a local armed wing of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, had threatened to kill him if he kept speaking about them and their criminal activities.

Election results

16.44%

Topics

2023 Ecuadorian general election

Assassination of Fernando Villavicencio

Referenced by

2023 Ecuadorian general election

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