Ecuadoran journalist Christian Zurita has been announced as the replacement candidate in the country’s upcoming elections following the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio. The political party Movimiento Construye made the announcement on Sunday, stating that Zurita would take Villavicencio’s place on the electoral ticket.
Fernando Villavicencio, a 59-year-old journalist known for his anti-corruption campaigns, was gunned down after leaving a campaign rally in Quito, the capital, last Wednesday. Zurita’s selection as the party’s candidate represents a reversal from Saturday, when Construye had initially stated that Andrea Gonzalez, Villavicencio’s running mate, would assume the top position on the ballot.
Party officials expressed concerns that Gonzalez’s candidacy might be disqualified by election authorities since she was already registered as the vice presidential candidate for the August 20 vote. Prior to his assassination, Villavicencio had been polling in second place.
Colombian authorities have made six arrests and reported one death in connection with the murder investigation. Police Commander General Fausto Salinas revealed that those apprehended had extensive criminal records, including involvement in weapons trafficking, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and theft.
Interior Minister Juan Zapata announced that investigators were still determining who may have ordered Villavicencio’s killing. The imprisoned gang leader Jose Adolfo Fito Macias had reportedly threatened Villavicencio prior to his assassination. Macias was transferred to a maximum-security prison on Saturday following a large-scale military and police operation. However, no specific gang has been officially accused of orchestrating the assassination.
Veronica Sarauz, Villavicencio’s widow, placed blame on the state for her husband’s death, accusing the police of failing to adequately protect him. She also alleged that supporters of former president Rafael Correa, who was convicted of corruption in 2020 after Villavicencio investigated him, played a role in her husband’s murder.
The day before his assassination, Villavicencio had filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, accusing the previous administration under Correa of irregularities in oil contracts. He estimated the country had suffered losses amounting to around $9 billion.
The assassination of Fernando Villavicencio has heightened tensions as the August 20 elections approach. Christian Zurita and another candidate, Daniel Noboa, appeared on a televised debate wearing bulletproof vests, underscoring the security concerns surrounding the campaign.
President Guillermo Lasso has attributed Villavicencio’s murder to organized crime, adding to the apprehension surrounding the candidates and the election process. As investigations continue, Ecuador braces for a closely watched and potentially consequential election in the aftermath of this tragic event.
