As Ecuador braces for a pivotal presidential election this Sunday, the nation remains on edge following the shocking assassination of one of the candidates just days ago. This crime has starkly exposed the deep-rooted fears of escalating violence in a country that was once known for its tranquillity.
The impending winner of this election is set to confront a pressing demand for safety across Ecuador. However, the means by which the incoming administration will finance its promises to combat crime remain uncertain. The electorate, which has grown increasingly divided, yearns for the prosperity witnessed during the presidency of Rafael Correa. Yet, few are willing to acknowledge the economic challenges his tenure left behind. Including a substantial fiscal deficit and massive debts.
Eight Candidates on the Ballot
The ballot slated for Sunday presents voters with a choice among eight candidates, a list that notably included Fernando Villavicencio. Tragically, Villavicencio, a prominent anti-corruption advocate, was assassinated on August 9 while leaving a campaign rally in Quito, the nation’s capital. His killing marked the third and most high-profile political assassination in a series of such incidents this year.
In Ecuador, voting is mandatory for citizens between the ages of 18 and 64. However, the recent spate of violence, particularly the assassination of Villavicencio. It has ignited concerns that a sense of insecurity may deter citizens from casting their ballots. John Walsh, the director for drug policy and the Andes at the Washington Office on Latin America think tank, explained that the fear of violence might “reduce turnout because of people’s fear of even going out to vote.” In light of this fear, some voters might opt to pay a nominal fine of approximately $45 rather than risk their safety at polling stations.
The surge in violence that has gripped Ecuador over the past three years is attributed to local authorities. To a power vacuum that emerged following the killing of Jorge Zambrano. Also known as “Rasquiña” or “JL,” in 2020. Zambrano was the leader of the Los Choneros gang, a local criminal organization that engages in contract killings, drug trafficking, extortion, and control of prisons. These gangs, including those linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels. They are engaged in fierce battles for territory, drug-trafficking routes, and overall dominance. Their activities extend even into detention facilities. The death toll among inmates has risen to over 400 since 2021.