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FBI to assist in investigation of assassination of Ecuadorian politician

Following an election rally in the capital city of Quito on Wednesday, the opposition candidate Villavicencio was fatally shot. The incident also resulted in injuries to at least nine other individuals. During a confrontation with the police, one of the alleged assailants sustained injuries in a shootout and subsequently passed away while being transported to the hospital.

DPA TECH
Published August 11,2023
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Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso on Thursday said he has asked the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is to assist with the investigation into the killing of a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections.

"I have asked the FBI for assistance in the investigation into the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio Valencia," Lasso said on social media. "The FBI has granted our request and a delegation will arrive in the country in the next few hours.

The opposition candidate Villavicencio was shot dead after an election rally in the capital Quito on Wednesday. At least nine other people were injured. One of the suspected attackers was wounded in a shoot-out with police and later died on the way to the hospital.

Lasso, who is not running for president himself, declared a 60-day state of emergency, a three-day nationwide state of mourning and mobilized troops in response to the mafia-style killing.

Early presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Ecuador on 20 August. These had become necessary after Lasso dissolved the National Assembly amid impeachment proceedings for alleged embezzlement.

The once peaceful country is suffering from an unprecedented wave of violence. The murder rate of 25 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants last year was the highest in the country's history. The government holds drug traffickers primarily responsible.