“Fernando Villavicencio's project is intact, and he had to fight for it. Fernando is my friend. We were working together for 15 years, and we have known each other for 25.″ In a surprising turn of events that has sent ripples throughout Ecuador's political landscape,...
Gaps in Democracy Code Prevent Zurita from Participating in Presidential Debate and Could Hinder His Presidential Eligibility
Following the tragic assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, the designated candidate of Alianza Construye, Christian Zurita, encountered a series of legal and procedural obstacles that hindered his involvement in the crucial “mandatory” Presidential Debate, raising concerns about his eligibility for the presidency. In the aftermath of Fernando Villavicencio’s untimely demise on August 9th, uncertainties and gaps […]
Phone records link Villavicencio assassins with Ecuadorian politicians
Colombian media claim that Ecuador politicians spoke to Villavicencio’s assassins, but Ecuador refuses to confirm the report. The cell phones of the individuals responsible for the murder of Fernando Villavicencio are believed to have contained records of calls made to Ecuadorian politicians, establishing potential connections between the accused assassins and political figures. This revelation, confirmed […]
FBI arrives in country to investigate the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio
President Guillermo Lasso announced on August 10, 2023, that he had sought assistance from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate the murder of Fernando Villavicencio. The request was promptly accepted. Interior Minister Juan Zapata...
Presidential Debate 2023: A shallow discourse, confrontations, and few policy perspectives
The recent presidential debate held on Sunday, August 13, 2023, lasting just under three hours, offered a glimpse into Ecuador’s political landscape. Seven candidates took the stage at Ecuador TV facilities: Jan Topic, Bolívar Armijos, Luisa González, Otto Sonnenholzner, Yaku Pérez, Xavier Hervas, and Daniel Noboa. The event, organized by the National Electoral Council (CNE) […]
In the past 45 years, seven presidential candidates in Latin America have fallen victim to assassination
Two instances occurred in Ecuador: Abdón Calderón Muñoz in July 1978 in Guayaquil, and Fernando Villavicencio on August 9, 2023, in Quito. Fernando Villavicencio, the latest victim, was a candidate from the Construye movement and was fatally shot on August 9th, 2023,...
Glas Aims to Overturn Conviction in Ecuador Following Brazilian Court Ruling
Former Vice President Jorge Glas has unveiled plans to initiate a legal process aimed at overturning his conviction in the bribery case. On August 12th, Jorge Glas, who served as Vice President under former President Rafael Correa (2007-2017), announced his intention to chart a legal “road map” to reverse his conviction for illicit association linked […]
Joint military and Police operation recovers large weapons cache from illegal miners in Azuay province
The action comes after the assassination prominent mining businessman Ángel Gaona Castillo. A significant cache of ammunition and explosives was successfully seized during a joint operation conducted by the Armed Forces in collaboration with the National Police, aimed at curbing illegal mining activities in the Cerro Negro region of the Pucará canton, located within the […]
A real conspiracy
In my usual style, I often infuse sarcasm into my columns, but the present circumstances are far too grave for such tonal liberties. The recent assassination of Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio has cast a long shadow over Ecuador, and its implications demand serious attention. This incident highlights a disheartening reality: corruption has deeply permeated the […]