The president issued a statement on Thursday at dawn, after concluding the Security Cabinet meeting, explaining that the decision seeks to honor the memory of a patriot.

Regarding the state of exception, which he has already adopted on more than ten occasions, he explained that it will last 60 days and will be enforced throughout the national territory in order to facilitate the intervention of the Armed Forces in security actions.

Both Lasso and National Electoral Council (CNE) President Diana Atamaint assured that the presidential and legislative elections will still take place on Sunday, August 20, and the entire electoral schedule remains unchanged.

According to Lasso, the assassination of Villavicencio might be an attempt to sabotage the elections, which Lasso himself advanced when he decreed the “mutual death” in May.

He also considered that it is not a coincidence that the assassination, “of a terrorist nature”, occurred a few days before the first presidential round. He also appreciated the national and international displays of solidarity.

“We are not going to hand over power to organized crime even if it is disguised as political organizations, we must banish hatred and revenge as a political practice,” said the President, who did not accuse anyone directly.

jg/llp/jf/avr