Through a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the solidarity of this nation with the people of Ecuador and conveyed condolences to the family and loved ones of the politician.

On Wednesday afternoon, Villavicencio, of the Construye movement, was shot several times in the head as he got into a van that was waiting for him after leaving a campaign event, witnesses said.

The crime occurred in spite of the fact that the candidate was mobilized with police protection due to threats he had received weeks before, according to what he himself denounced.

Six individuals were arrested for the crime and the president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, decreed three days of national mourning and a new state of emergency.

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