<p>Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead after a rally in the capital Quito City on Wednesday evening (Aug 9), local media reported, citing Interior Minister Juan Zapata.</p>

<p>A member of his campaign team told local media that a man came forward when&nbsp;Villavicencio was about to get into his car and shot him in the head.</p>

<p>Villavicencio, a 59-year-old journalist, was one of eight candidates in the August 20 presidential&nbsp;election.&nbsp;The death was confirmed on social media by current president Guillermo Lasso.</p>

<p>Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed Villavicencio&nbsp;surrounded by his guards walking towards his car&nbsp;and as he gets inside, gunshots can be heard.</p>

<p><em><strong>Trigger warning. Viewer discretion is advised</strong></em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Quedó grabado el Momento exacto en que matan a Fernando Villavicencio!! <a href="https://t.co/7kpqUzwzQ4">pic.twitter.com/7kpqUzwzQ4</a></p>
— Emergencias Ec (@EmergenciasEc) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmergenciasEc/status/1689431449777123329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"For his memory and his fight, I assure you that this crime will not remain unpunished," Lasso said on the social media platform X.</p>

<p>"Organized crimes have gone very far, but all the weight of the law will fall on them (sic)," he said, adding that he has called on top security officials for an urgent meeting.</p>

<p>Last month, Lasso had declared a state&nbsp;of emergency and night curfews in three provinces following a number of killings linked to organised crime.</p>

<p>The former lawmaker had been polling at 7.5 per cent voting intention.</p>

<p>For days, Villavicencio had been receiving threats and he even acknowledged it last week, saying that he&nbsp;and his team had been threatened by the leader of a gang linked to drug trafficking.</p>

<p>Villavicencio's campaign had focused on security, tackling corruption, a topic he had covered in an earlier career as a journalist, and reducing environmental destruction.</p>

<p>The presidential election is scheduled to take place on August 20.&nbsp;</p>

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Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead after a rally in the capital Quito City on Wednesday evening (Aug 9), local media reported, citing Interior Minister Juan Zapata.

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead after a rally in the capital Quito City on Wednesday evening (Aug 9), local media reported, citing Interior Minister Juan Zapata. A member of his campaign team told local media that a man came forward when Villavicencio was about to get into his car and shot him in the head. Villavicencio, a 59-year-old journalist, was one of eight candidates in the August 20 presidential election. The death was confirmed on social media by current president Guillermo Lasso. Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed Villavicencio surrounded by his guards walking towards his car and as he gets inside, gunshots can be heard. Trigger warning. Viewer discretion is advised Quedó grabado el Momento exacto en que matan a Fernando Villavicencio!! pic.twitter.com/7kpqUzwzQ4 — Emergencias Ec (@EmergenciasEc) August 10, 2023 × "For his memory and his fight, I assure you that this crime will not remain unpunished," Lasso said on the social media platform X. "Organized crimes have gone very far, but all the weight of the law will fall on them (sic)," he said, adding that he has called on top security officials for an urgent meeting. Last month, Lasso had declared a state of emergency and night curfews in three provinces following a number of killings linked to organised crime. The former lawmaker had been polling at 7.5 per cent voting intention. For days, Villavicencio had been receiving threats and he even acknowledged it last week, saying that he and his team had been threatened by the leader of a gang linked to drug trafficking. Villavicencio's campaign had focused on security, tackling corruption, a topic he had covered in an earlier career as a journalist, and reducing environmental destruction. The presidential election is scheduled to take place on August 20. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ecuadoran presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio shot dead after rally

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso, who was facing through impeachment proceedings over alleged corruption, has issued a decree on Wednesday, May 17, to dissolve the legislature.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">The decree released by the Ecuadorian president’s office states that Lasso is "dissolving the National Assembly due to a grave political crisis and national commotion."</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">President Lasso made his stance clear in a tweet stating: “I have signed Executive Decree 741, with the objective of dissolving the National Assembly and requesting the electoral council to call elections. Ecuadoreans: this is the best decision to give a constitutional solution to the political crisis.”&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>Corruption charges against Lasso</strong></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">The decree issued by the Ecuadorian President comes at a time when the opposition-dominated National Assembly was trying to oust the Lasso over alleged corruption.&nbsp;<br />
Impeachment proceedings against Lasso started on Tuesday, May 16, following the vote of 88 lawmakers who voted on May 10, to continue the impeachment trial against Lasso.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-12-inmates-were-killed-after-gang-clashes-erupted-in-ecuador-prison-582853">At least 12 inmates were killed after gang clashes in Ecuador prison</a></strong></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Decoding the impeachment charges</strong></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Supporters of self-exiled former president Rafael Correa, and centre-left parties Pachakutik and Democratic Left claim that Lasso is guilty of embezzlement for failing to cancel an oil shipping contract. Whereas, Lasso has denied these allegations repeatedly and further maintained that under his watch, FLOPEC, the state shipping company made a record profit.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Lawmakers also accused Lasso of not ending a contract between the state-owned oil transport company Flota Petrolera Ecuatoriana (FLOPEC) and the private entity Amazonas Tankers, even after knowing that the contract was full of irregularities. Lasso has denied these allegations repeatedly and further maintained that under his watch, FLOPEC, the state shipping company made a record profit. &nbsp;</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Following the commencement of the impeachment proceedings on Tuesday, May 16, Lasso stated that "There is no evidence, nor relevant testimonies. Rather, all there is, is information that proves my total, evident and unquestionable innocence." &nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Dissolution of the Congress</strong></h2>

<p>The National Electoral Council now has seven days to call presidential and legislative elections, which must be held within 90 days. Those elected will finish the terms of Lasso and the lawmakers he ousted, set to end in May 2025.</p>

<h2><strong>Denying claims of corruption&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In a televised message, Lasso called his move as ‘democratic’ while accusing the National Assembly of “destabilising the government.” He further added that his move gave the local people of Ecuador the “the power to decide their future in the next elections.”</p>

<h2><strong>Lasso’s supporters come out in his support</strong></h2>

<p>Supporters of President Lasso protested peacefully outside the parliament. Protesters waved Ecuadorean flags, held up banners and shouted angry chants against the legislators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interior Minister Henry Cucalon stated, "The only thing that interests the opposition is the destabilization&nbsp;of the country's institutions. Meanwhile, the Organisation of American States (OAS) urged the parliament to guarantee justice and respect the rules of due process."<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso, who was facing through impeachment proceedings over alleged corruption, has issued a decree on Wednesday, May 17, to dissolve the legislature.

Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso, who was facing through impeachment proceedings over alleged corruption, has issued a decree on Wednesday, May 17, to dissolve the legislature. The decree released by the Ecuadorian president’s office states that Lasso is "dissolving the National Assembly due to a grave political crisis and national commotion." President Lasso made his stance clear in a tweet stating: “I have signed Executive Decree 741, with the objective of dissolving the National Assembly and requesting the electoral council to call elections. Ecuadoreans: this is the best decision to give a constitutional solution to the political crisis.” × Corruption charges against Lasso The decree issued by the Ecuadorian President comes at a time when the opposition-dominated National Assembly was trying to oust the Lasso over alleged corruption. Impeachment proceedings against Lasso started on Tuesday, May 16, following the vote of 88 lawmakers who voted on May 10, to continue the impeachment trial against Lasso. ALSO READ | At least 12 inmates were killed after gang clashes in Ecuador prison Decoding the impeachment charges Supporters of self-exiled former president Rafael Correa, and centre-left parties Pachakutik and Democratic Left claim that Lasso is guilty of embezzlement for failing to cancel an oil shipping contract. Whereas, Lasso has denied these allegations repeatedly and further maintained that under his watch, FLOPEC, the state shipping company made a record profit. Lawmakers also accused Lasso of not ending a contract between the state-owned oil transport company Flota Petrolera Ecuatoriana (FLOPEC) and the private entity Amazonas Tankers, even after knowing that the contract was full of irregularities. Lasso has denied these allegations repeatedly and further maintained that under his watch, FLOPEC, the state shipping company made a record profit. Following the commencement of the impeachment proceedings on Tuesday, May 16, Lasso stated that "There is no evidence, nor relevant testimonies. Rather, all there is, is information that proves my total, evident and unquestionable innocence." Dissolution of the Congress The National Electoral Council now has seven days to call presidential and legislative elections, which must be held within 90 days. Those elected will finish the terms of Lasso and the lawmakers he ousted, set to end in May 2025. Denying claims of corruption In a televised message, Lasso called his move as ‘democratic’ while accusing the National Assembly of “destabilising the government.” He further added that his move gave the local people of Ecuador the “the power to decide their future in the next elections.” Lasso’s supporters come out in his support Supporters of President Lasso protested peacefully outside the parliament. Protesters waved Ecuadorean flags, held up banners and shouted angry chants against the legislators. Interior Minister Henry Cucalon stated, "The only thing that interests the opposition is the destabilization of the country's institutions. Meanwhile, the Organisation of American States (OAS) urged the parliament to guarantee justice and respect the rules of due process." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ecuador’s president Lasso dissolves National Assembly to forestall impeachment action against self

<p>To decongest overcrowding in jails, Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso on Monday granted pardon to prisoners with serious illnesses and those jailed for minor traffic violations.</p>

<p>The pardons have been granted to seriously or terminally ill prisoners and those involved in traffic offences that did not cause any casualty, the communications ministry said in a statement, without specifying how many would be released.</p>

<p>The move by the government follows growing incidents of prison violence in the country. Ecuador's prisons have been the scene of several massacres including a September riot — one of the worst in Latin American history —that left 119 inmates dead.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-prison-violence-leaves-nearly-68-dead-a-dozen-injured-429101">Ecuador prison violence leaves nearly 68 dead, a dozen injured</a></p>

<p>On November 14, at least 68 prisoners were killed during a fight between rival gangs at a prison in the Guayaquil city, with inmates attacking each other with guns, machetes and explosives.</p>

<p>On September 28, prisoners from one wing of the prison crawled through a hole to gain access to a different wing, where they attacked rival gang members. Hundreds of officers and army soldiers were deployed to regain control of the complex.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-prison-riots-death-toll-crosses-100-416995">Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100</a></p>

<p>The deadly fight, which saw some inmates decapitated, drew attention to the growing influence in Ecuador of transnational crime gangs such as the Mexico-based Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.</p>

<p>Nearly 300 inmates have died so far this year in the country's prisons, and September's gang-related violence was the worst in Ecuador's history.</p>

<p>In the Latin American country, there are over 65 prisons housing inmates more than their capacity. These jails have the capacity for 30,000 people, but around 39,000 inmates have been placed, including 15,000 who have not been sentenced.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


To decongest overcrowding in jails, Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso on Monday granted pardon to prisoners with serious illnesses and those jailed for minor traffic violations.

To decongest overcrowding in jails, Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso on Monday granted pardon to prisoners with serious illnesses and those jailed for minor traffic violations. The pardons have been granted to seriously or terminally ill prisoners and those involved in traffic offences that did not cause any casualty, the communications ministry said in a statement, without specifying how many would be released. The move by the government follows growing incidents of prison violence in the country. Ecuador's prisons have been the scene of several massacres including a September riot — one of the worst in Latin American history —that left 119 inmates dead. Also read | Ecuador prison violence leaves nearly 68 dead, a dozen injured On November 14, at least 68 prisoners were killed during a fight between rival gangs at a prison in the Guayaquil city, with inmates attacking each other with guns, machetes and explosives. On September 28, prisoners from one wing of the prison crawled through a hole to gain access to a different wing, where they attacked rival gang members. Hundreds of officers and army soldiers were deployed to regain control of the complex. Also read | Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100 The deadly fight, which saw some inmates decapitated, drew attention to the growing influence in Ecuador of transnational crime gangs such as the Mexico-based Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. Nearly 300 inmates have died so far this year in the country's prisons, and September's gang-related violence was the worst in Ecuador's history. In the Latin American country, there are over 65 prisons housing inmates more than their capacity. These jails have the capacity for 30,000 people, but around 39,000 inmates have been placed, including 15,000 who have not been sentenced. (With inputs from agencies)

Ecuador President pardons some inmates to decongest jails after violence

Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso on Monday declared a state of emergency in the country grappling with a surge in drug-related violence, and ordered the mobilization of armed forces in the streets.

Ecuador grapples with rise in drug-related violence

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Ecuadoran presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio shot dead after rally

Ecuador’s president Lasso dissolves National Assembly to forestall impeachment action against self

Ecuador President pardons some inmates to decongest jails after violence

Ecuador grapples with rise in drug-related violence