Justice Delivered in Ecuador: Five Sentenced for Assassination of Presidential Candidate

In a significant development for Ecuador's justice system, five individuals associated with one of the nation's most notorious criminal organizations have been sentenced for the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The former journalist and national assembly member was brutally gunned down last year as he departed a campaign rally in Quito, the country's capital.

Carlos Angulo, an alleged prominent figure in the Los Lobos gang, and Laura Castilla have received prison terms of 34 years and eight months for orchestrating the murder. Additionally, two men and a woman were sentenced to 12 years each for their roles in assisting the hit squad responsible for the attack.

Prosecutors argued that Angulo, infamously known as "The Invisible," commanded the assassination from within the confines of the Quito prison where he was detained. Despite his denials and claims of being a "scapegoat," the court found ample evidence to convict him. Castilla, who managed the logistics of the operation, allegedly provided the necessary resources, including weapons, money, and motorcycles, to execute the plan.

The other convicted individuals—Erick Ramirez, Victor Flores, and Alexandra Chimbo—were accused of tracking Villavicencio’s movements and aiding the hit squad. The trial saw over 70 witnesses, one of whom testified that the gang was offered more than $200,000 to carry out the assassination.

Villavicencio, known for his fervent anti-corruption stance, was one of the few candidates to openly accuse government officials of collusion with organized crime in Ecuador. Despite receiving death threats and being assigned a security detail, he remained undeterred in his campaign. Tragically, on August 9, he was shot dead by a group of assailants outside a school in northern Quito. During the trial, it was revealed that one of the attackers was killed in a confrontation with police at the scene.

In a grim turn of events, six additional suspects, all Colombian nationals, were arrested in connection with the murder but were subsequently found dead in El Litoral prison while awaiting trial. This prompted a separate investigation into who contracted Los Lobos to carry out the assassination, which remains ongoing.

Veronica Sarauz, Villavicencio’s widow, expressed relief at the court's ruling but emphasized that this is merely the beginning of uncovering the full truth behind her husband's assassination.

Ecuador, once considered one of Latin America’s more stable and secure nations, has seen a sharp rise in crime in recent years. This surge is largely attributed to the infiltration of local gangs by Colombian and Mexican drug cartels. The Los Lobos gang, led by Angulo, is believed to have strong ties with Mexico's powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel.

This case marks a pivotal moment in Ecuador’s ongoing battle against organized crime and corruption, highlighting both the challenges and efforts in restoring justice and order in the country.