Quito, 11 Aug : A state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador following the assassination of a popular presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio on Wednesday.
A 59-year-old journalist and anti-corruption crusader was gunned down as he left a campaign rally in the capital Quito on Wednesday. Police said six Colombians have been arrested in this connection. Another attacker, also a Colombian was shot dead by security personnel.
President Guillermo Lasso declared a two-month state of emergency and said the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has accepted the country’s request for help in the investigation.
Villavicencio had complained of receiving threats from Los Choneros, on of the country’s most powerful drug gangs. He exposed a vast graft network led by former President Rafael Correa. Correa is living in exile in Belgium after fleeing to escape imprisonment.
