Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced on Thursday a state of emergency across the country for 60 days in connection with the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
"I am declaring a state of emergency for 60 days ... From now on, the armed forces are mobilized throughout the country to guarantee the security of citizens, the tranquility of the country and free and democratic elections," Lasso said in an address to the nation, broadcast on the channel of the presidential administration on YouTube.
The date of the presidential election in Ecuador set for August 20 will not change in connection with the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, National Electoral Council head Diana Atamaint said.