*

Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio Reportedly Killed in Grenade Attack

Update (2143 EST): The assassin has been killed while in police custody.

Update (2022 EST): The assassin has been captured by spectators at the rally.

Update (2016 EST): Ecuadorian Interior Minister Zapata has confirmed Villavicencio has been killed after sustaining three gunshots to the head. A grenade was found but not used in the attack.

At approximately 1930 EST initial reports indicated an armed attack involving a grenade at a political rally for Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio at Colegio Anderson in Quito.

By 2000 EST, local media confirmed Villavicencio was killed in the attack and two police officers were injured. This is developing.

Fernando Alcibiades Villavicencio Valencia was an Ecuadorian politician, activist and journalist who is a candidate for President of Ecuador in the 2023 general election. He served as a member of the National Assembly from 2017 until the dissolution of the legislative body on 17 May 2023. Prior to his political career, he was known for denouncing Petroecuador and the government of Rafael Correa. (Wiki)

In September 2022, Villavicencio claimed he was the target of an assassination attempt after his home was allegedly attacked by gunfire.

Tessaron
Tessaron
United States Military Academy and American Military University Alumni. Victor covers flash military, intelligence, and geo-political updates.

MORE FROM ATLAS NEWS

Naval Standoff in South Aegean Highlights the Fleeting Détente in Greek-Turkish Relations

The lasting impression of rapprochement between Greece and Turkey in their 50-year dispute over continental shelf delimitation and Turkey’s pursuit of strategic control of the Aegean has been fleeting, as Turkish warships were deployed...

Houthis Warn of Impending Response to Israeli Strikes

Over the past 24 hours, there has been a notable uptick in messaging by the Houthis warning of an impending response to Israeli strikes that targeted the Yemeni port...