Six suspects held over murder of Ecuador presidential candidate slain in prison

[Judi Lynn]

Online News Editor
October 7, 2023
2 minutes read

Quito, Oct 6 (EFE).- Six Colombians accused of involvement in the murder of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio were killed in prison on Friday, according to authorities.

The state prisons agency SNAI confirmed the identities of the bodies after the Prosecutor’s Office and police entered Litoral Penitentiary, the largest prison in Ecuador, to collect them.

The six men were suspected of involvement in the murder of Villavicencio in August as he left a campaign rally, along with a seventh Colombian who was shot by security at the scene and later died.

. . .

The biggest massacres have taken place in this prison out of a string of them since 2020 that has left more than 400 prisoners murdered in Ecuador’s prison system, mainly due to clashes between rival criminal gangs.

Recently, the police and armed forces entered the interior of the pavilions in a series of operations in which they seized a large number of weapons including includes rifles, pistols, grenades, grenade launchers and explosives, in addition to numerous bladed weapons and other prohibited objects.

More:
https://www.laprensalatina.com/six-suspects-held-over-murder-of-ecuador-presidential-candidate-slain-in-prison/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Six Alleged Assassins Of Ecuador Presidential Candidate Slain Inside High-Security Prison

The alleged hitmen were apprehended shortly after the crime and were under preventive detention. In a twist of fate, their demise occurred within the confines of Litoral Penitentiary, known for its dangerous reputation and having witnessed several deadly riots in recent years.

In a dramatic turn of events, six individuals believed to be involved in the assassination of former Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio have been found dead inside Guayaquil's notorious Litoral Penitentiary. The prison authorities confirmed the demise of the alleged assailants, identified as Jhon Gregore R., Andrés Manuel M., Adey Fernando G., Camilo Andrés R., Sules Osmini C., and José Neyder L., providing no details on the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The incident unfolded as the Prosecutor's Office was nearing the completion of its investigation into the murder of Villavicencio, who was fatally shot on August 9. Despite not being a frontrunner in the presidential race, the shocking daylight assassination raised concerns about the escalating crime wave in Ecuador. The late politician had reported receiving threats from affiliates of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel, adding to the complex backdrop of organized crime in the country.

The alleged hitmen were apprehended shortly after the crime and were under preventive detention. In a twist of fate, their demise occurred within the confines of Litoral Penitentiary, known for its dangerous reputation and having witnessed several deadly riots in recent years. Although the prison authority did not disclose specifics about the incident, local media reports suggest that the killings took place in pavilion 7, reportedly dominated by the local gang Los Choneros, led by Adolfo Macías. Villavicencio, during his election campaign, had explicitly accused Macías of being behind threats on his life.

President Guillermo Lasso, currently out of the country, expressed his commitment to uncovering the truth. In a message on the social network X, he assured the public, stating, "Neither complicity nor cover-up, the truth will be known here." Lasso declared his intention to return to Ecuador to address the unfolding emergency.

The timing of these events adds a layer of complexity, as Ecuador braces for a runoff presidential election on October 15. The competition features the top finishers from the August vote, namely leftist Luisa González and former lawmaker Daniel Noboa, who happens to be the son of a prominent banana tycoon.

https://www.outlookindia.com/international/six-alleged-assassins-of-ecuador-presidential-candidate-slain-inside-high-security-prison-news-322963

[Judi Lynn]

2. Six Colombian Hitmen Involved in Assassinating Presidential Candidate Villavicencio, Are Murdered in

Six Colombian Hitmen Involved in Assassinating Presidential Candidate Villavicencio, Are Murdered in Ecuadorian Prison

By Socalj 10/07/2023 02:50:00 PM



The 6 Colombians detained in Ecuador for the death of Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio were murdered this Friday in a prison in Ecuador, according to authorities, the prisoners were hanged.

The deaths occurred a week before the Presidential elections were to be held. A few days ago, the United States offered a reward of $5 million for information leading to the arrest of the intellectual authors of the politician's crime.

The hitmen remained held in Pavilion 7 of the Litoral Penitentiary, in Guayaquil, where some 5,700 people are imprisoned. These are Andrés Mosquera Ortíz, José Neider López Hitas, Adey Fernando García García, Camilo Romero Reyes, Jules Osmín Castaño Alzate and Jhon Gregore Rodríguez. Late in the afternoon this Friday, teams from the Prosecutor's Office and the Ecuadorian Police entered the premises to remove the bodies and proceed with their identification.

The National Service for Comprehensive Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI) reported that the victims "do not show signs of torture or injuries resulting from any combat." Although their bodies have appeared in Pavilion 7, the prisoners had initially been assigned to Pavilion 9, and five days ago they were moved to Pavilion 10, according to police sources.

More:
https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2023/10/six-colombian-hitmen-involved-in.html