An Ecuadorian presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio has been shot dead.
He was shot while leaving a rally in Quito, the nation’s capital on Wednesday.
Nine other people were injured in the shooting attack, including a candidate running for the national legislature and two policemen, prosecutors said.
According to reports, Fernando Villavicencio, a 59-year-old anti-corruption crusader had complained of receiving threats before he was murdered.
His assassination led to the President Guillermo Lasso declaring a state of emergency but said general elections slated for August 20 would be held as scheduled.
In a tweet, President Guillermo blamed Villavicencio’s death on “organized crime” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Carlos Figueroa, a friend of Villavicencio’s who was with him at the time of the attack, told local media that the assailants fired around 30 shots.
Other Presidential candidates have condemned the murder and said they were suspending their campaigns.
The United States, Spain, Chile and other international bodies have also condemned the killing.
Villavicencio was the second most popular candidate in the presidential race, according to recent opinion polls.
According to local media, Villavicencio is not the first politician to be assassinated. Last month, the mayor of the city of Manta was shot dead, while in February, a candidate for mayor in the city of Puerto López was killed.
