Ecuador: Police detonate controlled explosive in area where candidate Villavicencio was murdered

Police officers of Ecuador caused this Wednesday the controlled detonation of a package suspected of containing an explosive, located in the same place where the presidential candidate was shot dead Fernando Villavicencio.

The detonation took place near the intersection of the avenues Amazon and Gaspar de Villarroelin the commercial and financial center of the north of Quitoafter the bomb squads cleared the area that is highly crowded.

LOOK HERE: LIVE | Ecuador: Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio shot dead in Quito | VIDEO

An agent with special equipment located the package in a safe place and protected by tires, to proceed with the caused and controlled detonation.

An anti-explosive robot in the area where Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated, in Quito, Ecuador, on August 9, 2023. (Photo by José Jácome / EFE)

The area remains cordoned off and the movement of people and vehicles is prohibited while investigations are carried out and evidence of the crime is carried out, which, according to the authorities, was perpetrated by hitmen.

The crime has raised a wave of comments from citizens and authorities calling for greater security.

The president of Ecuadorthe conservative William Lassoexpressed his dismay at the murder of Villavicencio and has promised that the crime will not go unpunished.

“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of the presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. My solidarity and my condolences with his wife and his daughters. For his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.”, Lasso wrote on his Twitter account.

The crime in Villavicencio occurred at the end of the afternoon on the outskirts of a coliseum where the candidate had participated in an electoral rally together with supporters in the framework of the electoral campaign ahead of next year’s elections. 20th of August.

MORE INFORMATION: Lasso assures that “the full weight of the law will fall” on the assassins of the candidate Fernando Villavicencio

Villavicencio, identified as a staunch critic of the former president Rafael Correa (2007-17), mobilized with police protection in the face of threats he had received weeks before.

In addition, from Villavicencio, for the presidential elections on August 20, the environmentalist had registered Yaku Perezthe former legislator Luis Gonzalezthe security expert Jan Topicthe former vice president Otto Sonnenholznerthe politician Daniel Hervasbusinessman Daniel Noboa and the independent Bolivar Armijos.

All of them have also condemned the attack suffered by Villavicencio and have expressed their dismay and solidarity with the family and loved ones of the journalist and former Ecuadorian assemblyman.

Source: Elcomercio