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Fernando Villavicencio, Ecuador's prominent presidential
candidate, assassinated this Wednesday in Quito, has changed the country's
daily life.
The incident led President Guillermo Lasso to declare a
state of emergency, pointing to organized crime as the culprit of the
assassination.
The 59-year-old contender, Fernando Villavicencio, renowned
for challenging a corrupt socialist regime, had previously mentioned facing
threats.
Villavicencio was the second most popular candidate in the
presidential race, according to recent opinion polls.
Security staff brought down a suspected assailant and police
safely handled an explosive found nearby, according to lead investigator Alain
Luna.
Carlos Figueroa, with Villavicencio at the time of the
attack, told local media that around 30 shots were fired by the attackers.