The atmosphere in Ecuador at dawn on August 10, 2023 was heavier, more tense. Instead of celebrating the first cry of Independence, we raise the cry of impotence for the umpteenth time. Once again, the country is in mourning, not because of the presidential decree as a reaction to the assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio on August 9, but because of the fact itself, which adds to the number of more than 3,000 lives lost at the hands of criminals this year.
Anger
Phrases that have become common such as ‘until the last consequences’, ‘they will not go unpunished’, ‘solidarity with the family’, far from comforting, seem empty because they are repeated today by Fernando Villavicencio, and were heard before by Agustín Intriago (Mayor of Manta), Rider Sánchez (candidate for the assembly), Jaime Villagómez Fayad (a young man killed in the historic Buijo in 2022), Nathaly López (administrative director of Teodoro Maldonado Hospital) and so many Ecuadorians killed.
Ecuador is a country where the majority are hard-working, good, honest people. These are people who do not accept that injustice is a protective shield for criminals, who resent the rhetoric, inaction, lack of an effective security policy and the firmness of their rulers, their public force and judiciary.
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National unity is undoubtedly fundamental in order not to continue falling further into the abyss.
The murdered candidate deserves three days of national mourning, but they do not restore peace; the repetitive provisions of the exception are exhausted. The state expects real force, not half-justice, when authors of material or co-authors are caught and convicted, as in the case of Villagómez Fayad. Nothing is known about the principals.
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The country must restore trust in its institutions, in its authorities, and this cannot be achieved with words. Unity is urgently needed in the fight against organized crime and a commitment to banishing hatred from the social and political discourse that is taking its toll on everyone. (OR)
Source: Eluniverso
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
