They declare responsibility! China: Condemnation and condolences, presidential candidate shot dead on the street in Ecuador | President | candidate
On the afternoon of August 10th, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered questions from reporters regarding the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Villavesensio——
Q: According to reports, Ecuadorian presidential candidate Villavesensio has been assassinated. What is China's comment on this?
Answer: China condemns the attacks and expresses condolences for the unfortunate assassination of Mr. Villavesensio. I hope that the Ecuadorian government and relevant parties can maintain the stability of the situation, and that the upcoming general election will be safe, stable, and smooth.
Presidential candidate shot dead
![They declare responsibility! China: Condemnation and condolences, presidential candidate shot dead on the street in Ecuador | President | candidate](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/74645485eb83d3d57933b898a5294a55.jpg)
Multiple people were injured on site
On August 9th local time, Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavincio was shot dead in the northern part of the Ecuadorian capital Quito.
According to local media reports, on the afternoon of the 9th, 59 year old Villavesensio was shot in the head shortly after entering the car after finishing a rally. He was confirmed dead after being taken to the hospital. It is reported that more than 50 shell casings were found on site.
The Attorney General of Ecuador stated that a suspect was shot dead in a firefight with the police, and about 9 people were injured at the scene, including a parliamentary candidate and two police officers.
![They declare responsibility! China: Condemnation and condolences, presidential candidate shot dead on the street in Ecuador | President | candidate](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/a4700b9b25e5b17f2a9b74458daa1d07.jpg)
Ecuador will hold presidential elections on August 20th, and Villavesensio is one of the eight candidates.
Villavesensio has stated that he has been threatened by drug trafficking gangs. When he ran for election, he stated that he wants to "confront and defeat domestic gangs", and he is seen as the strongest candidate in the fight against organized crime.
Presidential candidate assassinated
Six people have been detained
![They declare responsibility! China: Condemnation and condolences, presidential candidate shot dead on the street in Ecuador | President | candidate](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/26f96a4befc52e7fc7a13f2fb27b5cd8.jpg)
According to TASS and BBC reports, a statement released by the Ecuadorian Attorney General's Office on social media platform X on the 10th stated that at least 6 people have been detained in the investigation into the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Villavesensio.
Investigators at the scene of the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavesensio by an Ecuadorian criminal group
Declare responsibility for the shooting of the presidential candidate
According to CCTV reports, in the early hours of August 10th local time, the Ecuadorian criminal group "Loslovos" posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the shooting of presidential candidate Villavesensio.
![They declare responsibility! China: Condemnation and condolences, presidential candidate shot dead on the street in Ecuador | President | candidate](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/350d7322d5bd161b39e7dc55ca1dfd0f.jpg)
Villavesensio and the Ecuadorian criminal group "Loslovos". In the video, members of "Loslovos" wear masks and black clothes, and one of them sits at a table holding a letter reading out a statement, claiming that the organization carried out an attack on Villavesensio.
Loslovos is one of the largest criminal groups in Ecuador, which has carried out multiple bombings targeting police and other security agencies, as well as organized criminal activities such as hiring, killing, and transporting drugs.
Ecuador enters a state of emergency nationwide
The date of the presidential election remains unchanged
![They declare responsibility! China: Condemnation and condolences, presidential candidate shot dead on the street in Ecuador | President | candidate](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/a517486a2f4b3dc45f56a5de135af8e9.jpg)
According to Reuters and Agence France Presse, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60 day state of emergency nationwide on the 10th local time after Ecuador's presidential candidate Fernando Villavesensio was shot dead. And security forces will be deployed throughout the country.
Lasso previously stated on social media that he was "angry and shocked" by the murder of Villavesensio, and he has requested emergency meetings from government departments such as the National Election Commission and the National Prosecutor's Office.
It is reported that Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso will hold presidential and national assembly elections on August 20, electing the President, Vice President, and 137 members of parliament for a term until 2025.
As the election approaches, there are frequent domestic violence incidents in Ecuador. The Eritrean government stated that the violent incidents are closely related to organized crime and drug trafficking activities in the country.
![They declare responsibility! China: Condemnation and condolences, presidential candidate shot dead on the street in Ecuador | President | candidate](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/453553cc9ef815691114001e9d74433b.jpg)
United Nations Secretary General condemns the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate
On August 10th local time, UN Secretary General Guterres strongly condemned the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Villavesensio through a spokesperson, and stated that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. He also expressed support to the Ecuadorian government, the people, and the family of Villavesensio.