In Quito, Ecuador, it has been reported that six Colombians who were arrested for the alleged assassination of a candidate in Ecuador’s August presidential election were killed inside a prison in Guayaquil. However, officials have not provided any details about what exactly happened. The prison authority has confirmed that the six prisoners killed at Litoral Penitentiary were the men charged with the murder of former presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. Their names were identified as Jhon Gregore R., Andrés Manuel M., Adey Fernando G., Camilo Andrés R., Sules Osmini C., and José Neyder L.
Earlier, it was stated that an event had occurred inside the prison resulting in the deaths of six individuals. Litoral Penitentiary is Ecuador’s largest prison and is known to be one of its most dangerous, having witnessed several riots and deaths over the past three years.
The killings took place as the Prosecutor’s Office was nearing the end of the investigation into the murder of Mr. Villavicencio. He was shot and killed on August 9 while leaving a political rally. Although not considered a front-runner, the assassination, which occurred in broad daylight less than two weeks before the election, was a shocking reminder of the rising crime in Ecuador. Mr. Villavicencio had reported receiving threats from associates of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, which is one of the many international organized crime groups operating in the country.
The alleged hitmen responsible for Mr. Villavicencio’s murder were apprehended shortly after the crime and placed in preventive detention. Six other individuals have also been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the case.
While authorities have not released any information about the killings that took place on Friday, local media reports suggest that they occurred in pavilion 7 of the prison. Officials have previously stated that this pavilion is dominated by the local gang Los Choneros, led by Adolfo MacÃas. During his election campaign, Mr. Villavicencio had openly accused Mr. MacÃas of threatening his life.
President Guillermo Lasso, who is currently out of the country, expressed his intention to return to Ecuador to address the emergency. He emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth and pledged that there would be no complicity or cover-up.
Ecuador is set to hold a runoff presidential election on October 15, with leftist candidate Luisa González and former lawmaker Daniel Noboa, who is the son of a banana tycoon, being the two top contenders from the August vote.