Fernando Villavicencio
Fernando Alcibiades Villavicencio Valencia (Spanish: [feɾˈnando alsiˈβjaðes βiʝaβiˈsensjo βaˈlensja]; 11 October 1963 – 9 August 2023) was an Ecuadorian journalist, trade unionist, and politician who ran for president of Ecuador in the 2023 Ecuadorian general election. He served as a member of the National Assembly from 2021 until the dissolution of the legislative body on 17 May 2023, which caused the 2023 Ecuadorian political crisis and a snap election.
Fernando Villavicencio | |
|---|---|
Villavicencio in January 2023 | |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office 14 May 2021 – 17 May 2023 | |
| Constituency | National constituency |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fernando Alcibiades Villavicencio Valencia 11 October 1963 Alausí, Chimborazo, Ecuador |
| Died | 9 August 2023 (aged 59) Quito, Ecuador |
| Manner of death | Assassination by gunshot |
| Resting place | Monteolivo Cemetery, Quito |
| Political party | Movimiento Construye (2023) |
| Other political affiliations | Pachakutik (1995–2017) Coalition Movement (2018–2021) |
| Spouse | Verónica Sarauz |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Cooperative University of Colombia |
Prior to his political career, Villavicencio was an investigative journalist covering corruption and violence in Ecuador. A critic of former president Rafael Correa, Villavicencio was in exile in Peru after legal issues following his public critiques of the Correa administration. He spent several months imprisoned until all charges were dropped in February 2018.
Having unsuccessfully run for the National Assembly in 2017, Villavicencio was elected in 2021, representing the national constituency. In May 2023, he announced his presidential candidacy for that year's general election. Following a campaign rally in Quito, Villavicencio was assassinated on 9 August 2023.