The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has expressed, this Friday, its strong condemnation of the recent murders of two candidates for posts in the upcoming local elections in Ecuador and has called on the Ecuadorian Executive to investigate a "possible political motivation" in the context of the elections scheduled for November 29.
In a statement released through its social media, the IACHR, an autonomous body of the Organization of American States, regretted the murder of Ronald Farfán, former mayor of Huaquillas, on the border with Peru and once again a candidate for mayor. It also condemned the crime against Cristhian Rugel, a candidate for councilor, and Hilda Ruiz, victims of an armed attack carried out on November 9 during a political activity in the "Los Israelitas" sector, in Huaquillas, in the southern province of El Oro.
The Inter-American body has urged the Government led by Daniel Noboa to clarify the facts with "due diligence", including its "possible political motivation" within the framework of the electoral process, and to "judge and punish those responsible".
The IACHR has also emphasized that it is essential to "ensure the holding of free, fair, and peaceful elections" and to act "in accordance with its international obligations", recalling that, according to the American Convention, the "State must guarantee the exercise of political rights and prevent attacks against the life and integrity of persons who participate in political activities".
In recent electoral cycles, and also in the campaign for these local elections, there have been numerous episodes of political violence against candidates and authorities, especially in provinces such as El Oro, Manabí, Guayas, and Esmeraldas, where various criminal organizations operate with force.
Among the most serious cases is the assassination in 2023 of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio during a campaign event. For this homicide, five people have already been convicted, while the material author of the shootings died after being shot down by security forces at the scene of the attack and seven other suspects were killed in prison while awaiting the holding of the trial.