The political party of Ecuador’s assassinated presidential hopeful, Fernando Villavicencio, picked its vice-presidential candidate to replace him on Saturday, just a week before the election.
Villavicencio’s Build party, or Construye in Spanish, announced on social media that Andrea González was replacing the 59-year-old as its presidential candidate in the 20 August vote.
Villavicencio, an ex-lawmaker and journalist with a long track record of exposing corruption, was fatally shot last week after leaving a campaign event in the capital, Quito, despite his government-provided security detail.
Six suspects – all Colombian nationals whom police accuse of links to criminal groups – have been charged with the murder and remain in custody after a judge on Thursday ordered they remain behind bars as the investigation into the crime continues.
His replacement, González, 36, is an environmental activist who has not previously held public office.
She had been selected by Villavicencio to be his running mate in the snap election called by outgoing president Guillermo Lasso.
While ballots have been printed, by law votes for Villavicencio will automatically transfer to González.
The South American nation of 18 million has seen a rising tide of violence in recent years, including a sharp increase in the murder rate.
Villavicencio, who was not a frontrunner, was known for speaking up against drug cartels.
On Saturday authorities moved the leader of one of the country’s most powerful gangs into a maximum-security prison.
Villavicencio had accused Los Choneros and its leader, Adolfo Macías, whom he linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, of threatening him and his campaign team days before the assassination.
About 4,000 soldiers and police officers also raided the jail where Macías was being held and seized weapons, ammunition and explosives.
Lasso said the relocation of Macías, alias “Fito,” was meant “for the safety of citizens and detainees”.
“Ecuador will recover peace and security,” Lasso tweeted. “If violent reactions arise, we will act with full force.”
Villavicencio had been polling about the middle of the pack in a field of eight candidates prior to his assassination.
He had believed popular support would keep him safe. “You’re my bulletproof vest. I don’t need one. You’re a brave people and I’m as brave as you are,” he had said at a public meeting in the city of Chone, the heart of Los Choneros territory. “Bring on the drug lords. Bring on the hitmen.”
Beyond security, employment and migration have emerged as major campaign issues.
Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
