International
Murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio shocks Ecuador
August 10|
Ecuador’s presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, a champion of the anti-corruption fight and known for his statements against criminal gangs and drug trafficking, was killed on Wednesday in Quito in a shooting attack outside a political rally, just over a week before the general elections and amid a wave of violence affecting various parts of the South American country.
Villavicencio died in a clinic 100 meters from the site of the attack, while police carried out a controlled explosion of a grenade that had been thrown in front of the rally site.
After the death was confirmed, presidential candidate Otto Sonnenholzner, of the Actuemos coalition, called on the other candidates to stop campaigning and come together to form a single force in the fight against crime.
President Guillermo Lasso, who called the murder a “political crime” and said it was intended to “sabotage the electoral process”, confirmed that the election date would be kept, albeit with additional security measures including a military deployment.
He also decreed three days of national mourning for the death of Villavicencio.
The Attorney General’s Office informed near midnight on the social network X, formerly Twitter, that six people have been arrested in connection with Villavicencio’s murder. Earlier it had specified that a suspect in the attack was wounded during the exchange of bullets with security personnel, was apprehended and taken badly wounded to the Flagrancy Unit in Quito, where he died of his wounds.
The criminal organization that calls itself “Los Lobos” published a statement on the social network X — formerly known as Twitter — claiming responsibility for the murder of Fernando Villavicencio and threatening that “it will happen again when the corrupt don’t keep their word.
Villavicencio was one of eight registered candidates for the August 20 presidential election. The 59-year-old politician was not among the favorites, with a meager 10% of the preferences, although he was a recognized figure for having denounced in the past several cases of alleged government corruption.
He was married to Verónica Sarauz and leaves five children.
In recent days, the presidential hopeful had publicly denounced that the leader of a local criminal group linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel had threatened him, although so far no Ecuadorian authorities have pointed to any specific criminal organization. Villavicencio had also alleged links between politicians and drug traffickers.
In the last video in which he is seen alive, he is seen leaving the school grounds where the political rally was held surrounded by police, who help him into a vehicle. Before closing the door, a series of gunshots and desperate shouts from supporters can be heard.
Following the attack, Ecuadorian authorities did not disclose the possible motive behind the attack. Patricio Zuquilanda, an advisor to the candidate’s campaign, told The Associated Press that Villavicencio had received two death threats, although he did not give further details.
International
Haitian authorities mobilize nationwide as gangs threaten confrontation with police
Haiti’s National Police (PNH) declared a state of maximum alert after the leader of the Viv Ansanm armed coalition, Jimmy Chérizier — known as “Barbecue” — urged the population to stay indoors amid the prospect of clashes with security forces carrying out an offensive against gang groups.
The threats came days after the PNH, the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) launched a large-scale operation against the 400 Mawozo gang, which for years has controlled and kidnapped residents in Tabarre and Croix-des-Bouquets, north of the capital.
The police announced the suspension of all vacations and leave for officers “in order to mobilize all police personnel, with the goal of ensuring optimal security for the population and responding to any eventuality.” Authorities reported that operations will continue specifically in Croix-des-Bouquets, territory controlled by 400 Mawozo under the command of Lanmò Sanjou.
In recent days, security forces located and raided several hideouts used by criminal groups, managing to kill or force the retreat of gang members from strategic areas. Police Director General Vladimir Paraison visited the barracks of the units involved in the operations to express his “appreciation for the courage and commitment of the police in their relentless battles to restore order and uphold the law.”
Chérizier — for whom the United States has offered a $5 million reward — urged citizens on Sunday to remain in their homes so the gangs could confront police forces and “avoid becoming victims.”
“The time has come, Haitian people, to unite to liberate this country,” he declared in a message shared on social media.
International
U.S. House poised to approve bill requiring declassification of Epstein files
A group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives said on Tuesday that a bill requiring the Department of Justice to declassify documents related to the case of billionaire Jeffrey Epstein is expected to pass with “overwhelming” support.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, the sponsor of the proposal, urged the Senate not to allow delays or amendments. “I expect it to pass by an overwhelming majority in the House. I don’t want politicians playing games with this. They need to pass it in the Senate without changes,” he said from Capitol Hill, joined by Republicans Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and several Epstein victims.
The vote is scheduled for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. local time, after 218 lawmakers from both parties forced House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the measure to the floor.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been criticized by Democrats for his past friendship with Epstein, stated that he would sign the bill if it passes both chambers of Congress. His support came after a shift in his position, following his name appearing in leaked documents.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a frequent ally of the president, publicly confronted Trump in recent days over the issue. Standing alongside several Epstein victims, she defended her backing of the bill despite Trump calling her a “traitor.” “These women have fought the most horrible battle that no woman should ever have to fight (…) even against the president of the United States,” she said.
Taylor Greene added that the “real test” will be whether the Department of Justice complies with releasing the documents once the bill is enacted. “Or everything will remain sealed under the pretext of ongoing investigations,” she warned.
Haley Robson, one of the victims, also spoke during the press event. “I’m traumatized, I’m not stupid,” she said firmly, arguing that attempts by certain sectors to delay the process have caused tremendous emotional harm. “This is not political. This is America. This is the land of freedom,” she stated.
International
Five mexicans detained in North Carolina immigration raids, Sheinbaum confirms
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Tuesday that five Mexican citizens were detained during immigration raids carried out over the weekend in North Carolina, United States. She indicated that the federal government is already providing assistance and consular protection to those affected.
“There are five Mexican nationals in custody, and the Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh is in communication with them to provide assistance and consular protection,” Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference. She reiterated that protecting Mexicans abroad is a priority for her administration, and that the Foreign Ministry will closely follow the case.
The announcement comes after an operation known as Charlotte’s Web, conducted by U.S. immigration authorities in the city of Charlotte, the state’s financial hub. The raid resulted in at least 81 arrests, including Mexican and Honduran nationals.
The operation focused on targeting “illegal aliens with criminal records,” according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which cited more than 1,400 outstanding arrest warrants that have not been executed due to so-called sanctuary policies in certain cities.
However, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein stated that “the vast majority” of those detained do not have criminal records. Stein urged the public to document immigration operations and protest peacefully, as already witnessed in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland.
One of the most widely shared cases online is that of Willy Aceituno, a U.S. citizen born in Honduras, who reported being violently detained by immigration agents despite having valid documentation. DHS responded by accusing him of “erratic behavior” and claiming that an agent was injured after a civilian crashed their vehicle during the operation.
Haitian authorities mobilize nationwide as gangs threaten confrontation with police
U.S. House poised to approve bill requiring declassification of Epstein files
Five mexicans detained in North Carolina immigration raids, Sheinbaum confirms
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