[ad_1]
The killing of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has despatched shockwaves throughout the South American nation and the world, prompting an outpouring of grief and calls to sort out rising violence.
President Guillermo Lasso denounced Villavicencio’s assassination late on Wednesday after a marketing campaign occasion within the capital, Quito, and pledged “that this crime is not going to stay unpunished”.
“Organised crime have gone very far, however all the burden of the legislation will fall on them,” Lasso stated.
The president, who declared a nationwide state of emergency after the assassination, stated the crime was clearly an try and sabotage the election however voting would go forward as deliberate on August 20.
Lasso, who just isn’t operating for re-election, was joined by Ecuador’s presidential candidates in calling for justice for Villavicencio, and a few, together with Indigenous candidate Yaku Perez and law-and-order hopeful Jan Matter, suspended their campaigns.
“This makes us all mourn. My solidarity to all his household,” stated Luisa Gonzalez, who’s main the presidential race. “This vile act is not going to go unpunished!”
Villavicencio’s political get together, Movimiento Construye, additionally expressed its shock on the assault. “We’ve not but discovered a strategy to react to the horror and ache of the assassination of our presidential candidate,” it stated.
Right here is how the world reacted to the anticorruption campaigner’s killing:
United States
“It’s heartbreaking for him and for his household, for his supporters. And I’m certain that every one of Ecuador is grieving proper now,” stated White Home nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby.
“We clearly hope that there’ll be a full, full and clear investigation into this and that the perpetrators are held correctly accountable.”
The US ambassador to Ecuador, Mike Fitzpatrick, stated he was “deeply dismayed” by the assassination, describing Villavicencio as a “fighter towards the corruption and narco-criminals who’ve performed a lot injury to Ecuador”.
“The US authorities strongly condemns this assault and gives pressing investigative help,” he stated.
Mexico
Mexico’s Ministry of International Affairs stated it “remorse[s] the acts of violence that occurred in Quito” and expressed its “solidarity with the Ecuadorian authorities and other people”.
“We condemn any violent act that violates the desire of the Ecuadorian folks, and we hope that peace is restored throughout the democratic electoral strategy of our brother nation.”
Paraguay
Paraguayan President-elect Santiago Pena stated: “We repudiate and condemn the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
“We stand with the sister nation of Ecuador at this tough time.”
Chile
The Chilean authorities expressed “its sturdy condemnation and deep repudiation of the assassination”, extending condolences to the candidate’s household, in addition to the Ecuadorian authorities and the nation’s residents.
“This unjustifiable truth reminds us of the significance of strengthening democratic coexistence and dialogue as a device to combat intolerance and violence,” the federal government stated.
Brazil
“By expressing confidence that these accountable for this deplorable act will likely be recognized and dropped at justice, the Brazilian authorities conveys its heartfelt condolences to the presidential candidate’s household and to the Ecuadorian authorities and other people,” the Brazilian Ministry of International Affairs stated.
Honduras
“We strongly condemn the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio,” Honduran President Xiomara Castro stated. “Defeating organised crime is the mandate of our democracies. Our solidarity with the folks of Ecuador.”
Colombia
The Colombian authorities stated it trusted “within the power of the establishments of the sister Republic of Ecuador to make clear the details and punish these accountable”.
“The federal government rejects this act, which is an assault towards the leaders, the folks and democracy of the neighbouring nation.”
Spain
The Spanish authorities stated it “regrets and condemns” Villavicencio’s killing and supported Ecuador in its investigation.
“The federal government of Spain helps the Ecuadorian electoral course of, its democracy and the authorities of that nation in order that this tragic loss of life is investigated and the responsible events are dropped at justice,” it stated.
China
“China condemns the assault and expresses condolences over the assassination of Villavicencio,” the Chinese language Ministry of International Affairs stated in a press release. “China hopes that the Ecuadorian authorities and related events will keep the soundness of the state of affairs and the upcoming basic election will likely be protected, steady and easy.”
France
“The assassination of Mr Fernando Villavicencio … is a barbaric act and an assault on democracy that we condemn within the strongest phrases,” the French Ministry for Europe and International Affairs stated.
European Union
“We’re horrified by the tragic assault,” stated the European Union’s ambassador to Ecuador, Charles-Michel Geurts, including that the bloc expressed its “full help … for safety and peaceable elections within the nation”.
“Violence can not win. Democracy can,” he stated.
Group of American States
The Group of American States Electoral Statement Mission referred to as on the authorities to conduct “an intensive and complete investigation”.
It additionally urged all political candidates in Ecuador to spice up their safety measures. “The safety of candidates is prime to sustaining confidence within the democratic system and making certain that the voices of all residents may be heard freely and with out worry.”
Assertion of the OAS Electoral Statement Mission on the Assassination of Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicenciohttps://t.co/v5hFVU77rW pic.twitter.com/67GonnFOtU
— OAS (@OAS_official) August 10, 2023
[ad_2]
