10th August, 2023
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced a 60-day state of emergency across the country on Thursday.
This comes in connection with Wednesday’s assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
On Wednesday, the media reported that Villavicencio had been shot dead during a rally in Ecuador’s capital, Quito.
Lasso later confirmed the reports.
“I am declaring a state of emergency for 60 days.
“From now on, the armed forces are mobilised throughout the country to guarantee the security of citizens, the tranquilly of the country, and free and democratic elections,” Lasso said in an address to the nation, broadcast on the channel of the presidential administration on YouTube.
Elections had to be called within three months, for both the assembly and presidency, and the winners will serve out what would otherwise have been the remainder of the terms of those elected officials. If there is no outright winner, a runoff vote will be held in October.
Lasso can choose to run in the presidential election. In the meantime, he can rule by decree for up to six months.
Sputnik/NAN