Ecuadorian Politician Survives Shooting Incident
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A congressional candidate from Ecuador Estefany Puente has reported that she was targeted in a shooting incident earlier this week, resulting in minor injuries.
Puente disclosed that while she was driving, two unidentified assailants on motorcycles opened fire on her car. She recounted how a bullet grazed her left arm and shattered her vehicle's windshield. Notably, her father and a campaign staffer were present in the car during the attack, according to NYTimes.
This incident comes in the wake of the recent assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot three times during a campaign event. The assassination prompted President Guillermo Lasso to declare a 6-day state of emergency in the country.
Ecuador's Interior Minister, Juan Zapata, stated on Thursday that the six suspects apprehended in connection with the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio are Colombian nationals. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to a nation grappling with violence linked to drug trafficking.
Fernando Villavicencio, a former journalist turned candidate, had been an outspoken advocate for exposing the nexus between organized crime and government officials. His tragic demise occurred outside a high school in the capital city, Quito, where he was addressing young supporters. The attack transpired shortly before the commencement of a contentious election dominated by concerns over drug-related violence.
The incident resulted in one suspect being fatally shot, while nine others, including two police officers and a National Assembly seat candidate, sustained gunshot wounds. The conditions of the injured individuals remained unclear as of Wednesday night.
Fernando Villavicencio, 59, had occupied a mid-tier position in the eight-person race for presidency. His strong stance against crime and state corruption made him a prominent figure in the election.
This assassination marks a grim milestone as the first instance of a presidential candidate being killed in Ecuador, once considered a relatively safe nation. This event unfolded less than a month after the fatal shooting of the mayor of Manta during a public appearance.
