The president also pointed to organized crime, and said that it was “no coincidence” that the assassination happened just a few days before the first round of the vote, which is scheduled for August 20. “This is a political crime that has a terrorist character, and we are in no doubt that it is an attempt to sabotage the electoral process,” said Lasso. The president said that the investigations were ongoing, and that authorities “will apply the full force of the law” against those responsible. Hours later, Lasso confirmed the arrest of at least six suspects, who, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, were detained in raids in two districts of Quito. The gunmen fired at least 40 shots and wounded other people accompanying him. Minister of the Interior Juan Zapata confirmed his death shortly afterward. Carlos Figueroa, a personal friend of Villavicencio, said in a video posted on social networks that the candidate died from gunshot wounds. Villavicencio was rushed to a medical center near the site of the shooting. He portrayed himself as an anti-corruption candidate and campaigned under the slogan, “It’s time for the brave.” Villavicencio - whom most polls placed in fourth or fifth position among the eight candidates running for president - was shot three times in the head. local time at a school in the capital when the candidate was leaving the rally. Villavicencio was shot to death Wednesday afternoon after participating in a campaign event in Quito. “The armed forces are mobilized throughout the national territory to guarantee the security of citizens, the tranquility of the country, and the free and democratic elections of August 20, as planned by the National Council of Ecuador ,” said Lasso after an emergency meeting with his security cabinet. In response to the murder on Wednesday, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency on Thursday, a measure that will be in place for the next 60 days. The assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has plunged Ecuador into crisis just days before the country is set to elect a new leader.
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