Fernando Villavicencio death updates — Ecuadorian president Guillermo Lasso pays tribute after candidate’s assassination
THE president of Ecuador has paid tribute to a presidential candidate who was shot and killed at a campaign event.
Fernando Villavicencio's death at age 59 was confirmed by Ecuador's current president, Guillermo Lasso, on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio,” Lasso hours after the tragedy on Wednesday.
“My solidarity and condolences to his wife and daughters. For his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.
He concluded: “Organized crime has gone too far, but the full weight of the law is going to fall on them.”
Villavicencio was getting into a car after a political rally in Quito, the country's capital, when a gunman shot him in the head.
The assassination suspect died after being arrested, according to the attorney general’s office.
Read our Fernando Villavicencio blog for the latest updates...
Villavicencio shot leaving high school
The candidate was shot several times as he attempted to leave a rally at a high school in northern Quito, the Deputy of Ecuadorian National Police General Manuel Iñiguez confirmed.
Villavicencio was a member of Ecuador’s National Assembly prior to its demise.
'Nine suffered injuries'
Witnesses said Fernando Villavicencio was shot three times during the attack.
According to the country's attorney general, the suspect was also shot in an exchange of bullets with security and later died from his injuries.
They added that nine people suffered injuries, including a candidate for assembly and two police officers.
Otto Sonnenholzner - 'We demand that you do something'
Former Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner echoed Zuquilanda’s concerns in a news conference, saying: “We are dying, drowning in a sea of tears and we do not deserve to live like this.
"We demand that you do something.”
Fernando was a vocal critic of corruption
Villavicencio was a vocal critic of corruption, especially during the tenure of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017.
His campaign adviser, Patricio Zuquilanda, told the Associated Press that Villavicencio received several death threats before the shooting and reported them to the authorities.
“The Ecuadorian people are crying and Ecuador is mortally wounded,” he told the outlet.
“Politics cannot lead to the death of any member of society.”
Haunting video
Video on social media showed Villavicencio walking out of the event with his guards and entering a white truck before gunfire erupted.
Dozens of gunshots were heard as the terrified crowd ducked and ran for cover.
A second clip appeared to show Villavicencio on the ground while a third video showed him being wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher.
Candidate killed ahead of election
Fernando Villavicencio was killed Wednesday after a campaign event in Quito, Ecuador.
His assassination comes just 10 days before the presidential election, in which he was said to be a frontrunner.
The election is still scheduled for August 20.
About Fernando Villavicencio’s upbringing, part two
He began his journalism career working for El Universo in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
However, moved to a career in politics in 2013 when he became a parliamentary assistant to Cléver Jiménez.
On May 14, 2017, Fernando was sworn in as a member of the National Assembly and remained in his position until May 2023 when the legislative body was dissolved.
On June 10, the Ecuador native announced his candidacy for the 2023 presidential race in his home country.
About Fernando Villavicencio's upbringing
Fernando Alcibaides Villavicencio Valencia was born on October 11, 1963, in Alausí, Ecuador.
Fernando was widely known as a member of the National Assembly and a candidate for the 2023 Ecuadorian presidential election.
Before his political career, Fernando held a career in journalism.
Fernando received a degree in journalism and communication at the Cooperative University of Colombia.
Two dead, one injured after shooting
Fernando Villavicencio was shot multiple times as he left the rally at a high school in northern Quito, according to General Manuel Iñiguez of the Ecuadorian national police.
Villavicencio was then rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was pronounced dead at the age of 59.
A suspect in the candidate's assassination died of wounds after being arrested by authorities in Ecuador, the attorney general’s office said.
General Manue Iñiguez also noted a police officer was injured in the attack.
The gunmen launched a grenade toward Villavicencio’s group, however, it didn’t explode.
Fernando Villavicencio's political party
Fernando Villavicencio was part of the Movimiento Construye Ecuador party since 2021.
The Movimiento Construye was founded in 2004 and originally named Ruptura 25.
They joined the Democrat Left in 2016 before becoming the Movimiento Construye Ecuador party in 2020.
Prior to his most recent affiliated party, Fernando was part of the Coalition Movement from 2018 until 2021.
Fernando was vocal about political corruption
Villavicencio was a vocal critic of corruption, especially during the tenure of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017.
Villavicencio’s campaign adviser, Patricio Zuquilanda, told the Associated Press that his client had received several death threats before the shooting and reported them to the authorities.
“The Ecuadorian people are crying and Ecuador is mortally wounded,” he told the outlet. “Politics cannot lead to the death of any member of society.”
Fernando survived by his family
On August 9, 2023, Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead at during his political rally in Quito.
His assassination comes weeks before Ecuador's election day which is set to take place on August 20.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
Suspect 'died of injuries'
A suspect in the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio reportedly died of their wounds, according to Ecuador's attorney general's office.
The suspect is said to have died after being arrested by authorities.
Fernando Villavicencio's political beginnings
Fernando moved to a career in politics in 2013 when he became a parliamentary assistant to Cléver Jiménez.
On May 14, 2017, Fernando was sworn in as a member of the National Assembly and remained in his position until May 2023 when the legislative body was dissolved.
On June 10, the Ecuador native announced his candidacy for the 2023 presidential race in his home country.
He was sadly assassinated Wednesday night shortly after his presidential rally at a high school.
Fernando Villavicencio pictured
Fernando Villavicencio was shot to death by gunmen at a political rally in Quito Wednesday night, a video revealed on social media.
Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio speaks during a campaign rallyCredit: Reuters 
Former Assembly member and presidential candidate, Fernando VillavicencioCredit: AFP
Fernando was a former journalist
Before entering the world of politics Villavicencio studied journalism and communication at the Cooperative University of Colombia.
He worked with one of the largest daily newspapers in Ecuador, El Universo.
During his time at the paper, he criticized Ecuadorian politician Gustavo Noboa.
President is 'outraged and shocked'
The current president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, shared a statement to X in Spanish.
";Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio," Lasso wrote.
"My solidarity and condolences to his wife and daughters. For his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.
"The Security Cabinet will meet in a few minutes in Carondelet. I have asked the president of the CNE, Diana Atamaint; the State Attorney General, Diana Salazar; the President of the National Court of Justice, Iván Saquicela; and to the other State authorities to attend this meeting urgently to discuss this fact that has dismayed the country."
He concluded: "Organized crime has gone too far, but the full weight of the law is going to fall on them."
Fernando Villavicencio was threatened recently
The Ecuadorian presidential candidate was reportedly threatened recently, .
Villavicencio said he and his team were threatened by the leader of a gang linked to drug trafficking, the outlet reported.
Ecuador dealing with rising crime
Much of the presidential campaign has focused on the rising crime the country has dealt with in recent years.
The country is reportedly seeing record levels of gang violence and drug trafficking.
Video shows terrifying moment
Videos from the campaign event shared on social media appear to show Fernando Villavicencio walking with his security away from the Quito high school.
After the presidential candidate gets in a car, gunshots are heard as people scream and take cover.
Officer injured during the attack
A police officer was also injured in the attack, officials confirmed.
The alleged attacker reportedly tossed a grenade toward Villavicencio but it did not explode, .
Ecuador president shares statement
The current president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, has shared a statement confirming Fernando Villavicencio's death.
“I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” Lasso said.
“Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law.”
Rushed to hospital
The Ecuadorian candidate was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was pronounced dead, .
Fernando Villavicencio was 59.