Gang members sentenced for murder of Ecuador presidential candidate

In a recent development in Ecuador, the two masterminds behind the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio have been sentenced to 34 years and eight months in prison. Additionally, three accomplices received 12-year prison terms. The Prosecutor's Office had sought the maximum punishment for all five defendants involved in the murder. The convicted instigators were also fined $460,000 each and ordered to pay $100,000 in compensation to the victim's family, while the other three defendants were fined $156,400 each and directed to pay $33,000 to the family. Fernando Villavicencio, aged 59, was fatally shot by gunmen on motorcycles last August 9th as he departed a school in Quito after a campaign event, resulting in 13 injuries. Despite having previously reported threats, authorities have not disclosed the motive for the killing. During the sentencing announcement, family and friends of Villavicencio staged a demonstration in Quito, demanding justice and imprisonment for all responsible parties. The court revealed that one instigator, Carlos Angulo, known as "Invisible," orchestrated the murder from prison, while Laura Castillo facilitated the gunmen with logistical support. The three accomplices - Erick Ramírez, Víctor Flores, and Alexandra Chimbo - were responsible for informing the hitmen of Villavicencio's movements. A total of 13 individuals were implicated in the case, including Colombians who were arrested and subsequently murdered in Guayaquil and Quito prisons during the investigation. Villavicencio, a former journalist and member of Ecuador's national assembly, was a vocal anti-corruption activist who had accused government officials of ties to organized crime. His widow, Veronica Sarauz, expressed satisfaction with the verdict but emphasized the ongoing quest to uncover the full truth behind her husband's assassination. Ecuador, traditionally considered a safe and stable nation in Latin America, has witnessed a rise in crime in recent years, attributed to the infiltration of Colombian and Mexican drug cartels into local criminal networks. The trial shed light on the intricate web of individuals involved in orchestrating the murder of Villavicencio, underscoring the challenges posed by organized crime in the region. Prosecutors continue to investigate the contracting of Los Lobos gang for the hit, indicating a broader inquiry into the criminal networks at play in Ecuador.