2023-08-10 07:54:53
The Security Cabinet decided to declare a state of emergency for 60 days. Photo: Video Capture
The National Government confirmed that August 20, 2023 is maintained as the date planned for the next presidential elections. The decision was made by the Security Cabinet that met at the Carondelet Palace on the night of Wednesday, August 9, 2023, after the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
In addition, two decrees were signed. At No. 841 The state of emergency was established throughout the country for 60 days. With the second (No. 840) they declared themselves three days of national mourning for the death of Villavicencio. They are August 10, 11 and 12, 2023.
“It was a political crime”
President Guillermo Lasso pointed out that Villavicencio’s death was treated as a “political crime, which acquires a terrorist character. We do not doubt that this assassination is an attempt to sabotage the electoral process.” This is because it occurred days before the first presidential round.
The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Diana Atamaint, also confirmed that all planned activities are maintained in the electoral calendar approved by the plenary session of the CNE. And he announced that the Armed Forces and the National Police will redouble the security in the electoral precincts.
Additionally, the international organizations confirmed their presence with their observation missions. “This will contribute to the success of the democratic journey,” said Atamaint.
President Lasso also told “those who seek to intimidate the State, who we are not going back. The State stands firm and democracy does not give in to the brutality of this murder.”
He pointed out that “We are not going to hand over power or democratic institutions to organized crimeeven though it is disguised as political organizations”.
#Government #confirms #presidential #elections #held #August