Luisa González, presidential candidate of Ecuador
The candidate for opposition to the presidency of Ecuador reported on Friday that the government changed its military security team two days from the second return of elections in the country, shaken by the violence of drug trafficking. In 2023, the then opposition candidate was shot dead 11 days before the vote.
The Ecuadorian lawyer Luisa González This Friday denounced the “irresponsible act” of the country’s government, which, two days from the presidential elections, promoted changes in the security team of the opposition candidate.
González will face this Sunday or president Daniel Noboain a lit presidential dispute
“I alert the country about the irresponsible act of the government to replace my team safety of the Armed Forces, putting my life at risk and my family, ”González on X/Twitter.
“I was informed by the Armed Forces team in charge of my security that they were abruptly removed from their functions. This team worked precisely to protect my life after the serious complaints of plans of attacks against mewhich are under investigation, ”he added.
Public complaint to the country!
I refer to the country about the irresponsible act of the government by relieving my security team of the Armed Forces, putting my life and that of my family at risk.
They will not stop the change that is coming for our country!
You are afraid, …
– Luisa González (@Luisagonzalezec)
In reaction to the candidate’s complaint, the Ministry of Defense pointed out that all intelligence agents and special forces highlighted for the safety of the 47 -year lawyer, “are qualified to fulfill the commitment assumed from the principle of ensuring its protection. ”
“The number of 58 totally armed and prepared military personneltogether with the 12 vehicles highlighted for the safety of candidate Luisa González, it remains the same, ”added the ministry, in a statement quoted by AFP agency, without detailing if there were substitutions in the composition of the team.
In the early elections of 2023, the candidate for shots When it left a rally in Quito. The candidate, known for being a critic of corruption and organized crime, was target for 40 shotshaving three of them agreed in the area of your head.
Since then, more than 30 politicians, judicial authorities and journalists were murdered in Ecuador. The country registered a homicide per hour between January and February, the beginning of the most bloody year Since there are records of this type of crime, according to data from the Ministry of Interior.
González considers the change of your security team a measure “irresponsible, reckless and deeply dangerous”, And responsible President Noboa, Defense Minister Giancarlo Loffredo Rendón, and the head of the Ecuador Armed Forces, General Jaime Vela.
“I ratify my request that the security team that was assigned to me will be maintained During these decisive days for the country”Insisted the candidate, political heiress of the Former Socialist President Rafael Correa.
The country, situated strategically in the Pacific, Locks a war against gangs of drug trafficking, which impose terror on the streets and arrests.
Although the homicide rate decreased from 47 per 100,000 inhabitants by 2023 to 38 in 2024, the Ecuador had the higher violent death index From Latin America last year, according to the specialized insight crime group.
