An Ecuadorian court has handed down a nearly 35-year prison sentence to a gang member for orchestrating the murder of a journalist turned anti-corruption presidential candidate from his prison cell.
Five individuals received significant prison terms for their involvement in the killing of Fernando Villavicencio, who was fatally shot before the country’s election last year.
Carlos Angulo, a member of the gang, was sentenced to 34 years and eight months in prison for masterminding the murder. Another defendant, Laura Castillo, also received the same sentence for providing support to the Colombian hitmen who carried out the assassination.
Villavicencio, a former journalist dedicated to fighting political corruption and drug trafficking, was gunned down just days before the presidential election.
Following the murder, six Colombian men were arrested but were killed in prison soon after. Seven more suspects were apprehended, and after legal proceedings, five individuals, including Angulo and Castillo, were convicted.
The court also sentenced accomplices Erick Ramirez, Victor Flores, and Alexandra Chimbo to 12 years in prison for their roles in the crime.
The suspects were allegedly linked to the “Los Lobos” gang, which is active in the drug trade in Ecuador.
– ‘Jail for cowardly murderers’ –
A witness revealed that there was a $200,000 bounty on Villavicencio’s life due to his anti-gang and anti-corruption activism. The witness also implicated individuals connected to the former Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa’s administration, though Correa denies any involvement.
Relatives and supporters of Villavicencio gathered outside the court with posters demanding “jail for cowardly murderers.”
Villavicencio’s investigative journalism had exposed corruption among high-ranking officials, leading to his assassination.
Since 2023, Ecuador has witnessed a surge in political assassinations linked to drug trafficking.
The country, serving as a cocaine transit point, has seen a sharp increase in violence, with the homicide rate rising significantly in recent years.
Efforts to combat the violence and corruption in Ecuador continue as authorities seek justice for victims like Villavicencio.
