Pedro Briones, a prominent figure in Ecuador’s Citizen Revolution Movement (RC5) led by former President Rafael Correa (2007-2017), was shot dead in San Mateo, located in the Esmeraldas province near the Colombian border, as confirmed by party members.
The RC5’s presidential candidate for the upcoming general elections on August 20th, Luisa González, acknowledged Briones’ death on her social media account, formerly known as Twitter.
“Ecuador is witnessing some of its darkest times. My heartfelt condolences to Pedro Briones’ family, yet another victim of violence. Change is desperately needed!” stated González online.
Paola Cabezas, a former RC5 legislator for Esmeraldas, expressed her condolences online, writing, “Another heart-wrenching loss. Pedro Briones, leader of @RC5Esmeraldas in San Mateo, was tragically taken from us.”
Police reports indicate Briones was attacked by two motorcyclists outside his home in San Mateo. Following the assault, he was rushed to a hospital, where he died.
Investigations are currently underway, but the authorities have made no official statements.
Ecuador is currently grappling with a surge in violence and rising criminal activity, which the government attributes to organized crime syndicates connected to drug trafficking.
This incident follows the recent assassinations of other political figures in armed attacks. Notably, presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was killed on August 9th after a political rally in Quito, the nation’s capital.
Rider Sánchez, a legislative candidate for Esmeraldas, was killed on July 17th, followed by the murder of Manta’s mayor, Agustín Intriago, on July 23rd.
These crimes, which have shocked the nation, are among several attacks on politicians during last February’s elections marked by heightened violence.
In response to the wave of violence, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency across the country on August 10th.