The recent assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has sent shockwaves around the world and sparked a debate about the power of criminal gangs in Latin America.
Villavicencio, who campaigned heavily against corruption and organized crime, was shot dead at a campaign rally in Quito on Wednesday.
The Los Lobos gang has since claimed responsibility for his death, claiming that they are affiliated with the Mexico-based Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Ecuador has traditionally been seen as one of the more stable countries in Latin America, but there is no denying that crime rates have been steadily increasing over recent years.
This can largely be attributed to the penetration of Colombian and Mexican drug cartels into local criminal organizations.
These cartels use Ecuador’s advantageous infrastructure and ports to smuggle cocaine from Colombia and Peru to Europe and the United States.
They also do not hesitate to use violence against anyone who stands in their way – including politicians like Fernando Villavicencio.
With less than two weeks left until Ecuador’s presidential election, insecurity has become a major issue among voters – particularly after the brazen attack on Villavicencio during a public event in Quito’s capital city.
He had criticized what he considered to be lenient treatment towards gangs by law enforcement authorities.
If elected, he would have undoubtedly taken a more hardline approach towards organized crime.
Unfortunately, this will never come to pass after his untimely death – yet another tragedy inflicted upon Ecuadorians by gangs operating within their borders.
Sadly enough, this is not an isolated incident: last month saw the mayor of Manta killed while another candidate for mayor in Puerto López was murdered earlier this year.
It is clear that something needs to change if these kinds of attacks are going to stop occurring; stronger laws need to be implemented so that those responsible can be held accountable for their actions.
