On August 9, 2023, it will go down in the country’s history. Not only because of the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, the candidate for the President of the Republic, but because it puts the country on two paths.

The first is the consolidation of the cruelty and wickedness of those who are only interested in money and power, and who move on the basis of their greed, their avarice, their hatred, their corruption, their pleasure, to subjugate and deceive people.

The second is for the brave, for those who will not leave Ecuador, because they do not want to or simply cannot, and will leave the country behind – again, for the first time or as always – to move forward. There will be those dreamers and those who do not give up, those who, despite fear, apprehension, care and threats, will continue to extend their hands to others, because we have no right to leave as a legacy a destroyed, non-existent state, disappointed, for those who are children and young people and elders today or for those who will soon need that same solidarity.

The pain we experienced as a society is deep, indescribable, it left many speechless, with a lump in their throat, with a whirlwind of emotions that included anger and helplessness.

A little over two weeks ago, Manta was crying for its mayor, Agustín Intriago. His wife and children were left broken, alone, with unfulfilled dreams. Now it was the turn of supporters of Villavicenci and his family.

In 2018, journalists wept over the murder of Paul, Xavier and Don Segarrite (as many of us who knew him called him). During the campaign in February, six months ago, the relatives of other journalists in Manabi also cried. The list is long and you have to stop it.

Mr. President Lasso, you are still a few weeks away from going home. You, your family and a few others have the economic capacity to go far and not return if violence gets too close to your neighborhood. This is a rare reality. The rest will have to stay to see the outcome of this phase of horror, with the anxiety of losing a loved one at every moment.

You and your government should – if the advice allows me – leave with a real contribution that is vital and that, moreover, will allow, in the future, to say that you have done something profound for Ecuador: find the killers, accomplices and accessories after the one mentioned here the facts of the dead. Transparent information, everything. Use the power you have, that of the state – even if it is still little – and history will say that you had the courage, the courage, to do something other than sign emergency decrees for the country you promised to serve.

Leave as a legacy that act of decency, responsibility, because if many keep silent about what everyone wants to tell them, that silence will sooner or later become a scream.

Give back to Ecuador that has given you so much. You have become an advanced man in this country, now it’s your turn.

Patience has limits and I think many people’s patience is at its limit in light of so much abuse of the good hearts of most Ecuadorians. (OR)