Presidents and leaders from around the world have expressed their rejection on Thursday of the murder of Ecuadorian candidate Fernando Villavicencio, an event that took place on Wednesday, 10 days before the presidential elections.
One of the first to speak out was the Bolivian government, which — through the X social network account (formerly Twitter) — condemned the attack on Villavicencio, who was assassinated as he left an electoral rally in Quito.
"The Bolivian Foreign Ministry condemns the assassination of the presidential candidate of the Republic of Ecuador, Fernando Villavicencio, and expresses its deepest condolences to his family and the Ecuadorian people," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the social network.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales also spoke out on social media, calling the attack "cowardly and criminal," which also left nine people injured, including a candidate for assemblywoman and two police officers.
"Our condemnation and repudiation of the cowardly and criminal attack that ended the life of the presidential candidate of #Ecuador, #FernandoVillavicencio"Solidarity and condolences to his family and to the brotherly Ecuadorian people affected by citizen insecurity and neoliberal policies," wrote Morales.
For its part, the government of Gustavo Petro offered its condolences to the Ecuadorian people and advocated that the institutions be able to clarify the facts.
"The Colombian Foreign Ministry vehemently rejects the assassination of candidate for the Presidency of Ecuador, Fernando Villavicencio, in the midst of the attack of which he was the victim during a rally in Quito and expresses its condolences to his family and supporters," the foreign ministry wrote on the social network X.
"Minister @AlvaroLeyva and the entire Government reaffirm their solidarity with the Ecuadorian people and trust in the strength of the institutions of the sister Republic of Ecuador to clarify the facts and punish those responsible," they added.
For its part, the Government of Colombia described this act as an attack on democracy.
Through a statement -published in its web portal—, the Chilean government condemned the attack and called for a national dialogue to fight “intolerance and violence.”
"The Government of Chile expresses its strong condemnation and profound repudiation of the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, which occurred today in Quito, and extends its condolences to the Government and people of Ecuador and, in particular, to his family. This unjustifiable act reminds us of the importance of strengthening democratic coexistence and dialogue as a tool to fight against intolerance and violence," he stressed.
The governments of Brazil (Lula Da Silva), Argentina (Alberto Fernández), and Uruguay (Luis Lacalle Pou) also spoke out against the assassination of the presidential candidate and advocated that the facts be clarified.
Central America and Mexico join the rejection
The Central American countries also expressed their rejection of the assassination of Villavicencio, fact that caused President Guillermo Lasso to decree a State of Exception for 60 days.
In addition, three days of national mourning were declared, with the hoisting of the National Flag at half mast in public and private institutions.
Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, founding countries of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), also rejected “any threat or action of electoral violence” in Ecuador.
Guatemala also condemned the assassination of the presidential candidate and sends its condolences especially to the family of the candidate.
"Guatemala stands in solidarity with the Ecuadorian people in these difficult times, especially" with the "relatives" of the presidential candidate; the statement said EF news agency.
For her part, the president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, said that this crime shows that "defeating organized crime is the mandate of our democracies."
Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena expressed —on behalf of the government of the North American nation— the "willingness" to help Ecuador in whatever way is necessary to clarify the facts.
According to the EFE news agency, Bárcena said they will remain "alert" for any revelations about the motive for the crime.
The foreign minister stressed that there is "no evidence" of the involvement of Mexican cartels in the murder, but assured that the Mexican government will remain "vigilant."
This, referring to the statements of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador who stated that there are no elements that show the presence of cartels.
UN and EU hope that crime does not go unpunished
The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the murder and injury of several people in the criminal act, which he described as "appalling."
"It is important to promptly and fairly conduct a transparent, thorough and independent investigation to hold those responsible for this attack accountable. Violence against political candidates is a grave threat to the electoral process and the ability of the people to express their democratic will," he said, as quoted by the newspaper. UN News Center.
In this regard, he recalled that in recent months Ecuador has been submerged in criminal violence and strong threats against political figures and journalists.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrel said: “The assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio is a tragic act of violence.”
«The murder of the presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio it is a tragic act of violence. The EU reiterates its full commitment to support Ecuadorian democracy and assist in efforts to ensure peaceful democratic elections. We are with #Ecuador in the fight against violence," he stressed on his account on the social network X.
