The surge of violence in Ecuador has led to the killing of another political leader, Pedro Briones, bringing the tally of politically-related slayings in the past four weeks to three, including a presidential candidate. The fatal shooting of Briones, a local leader of the party of former President Rafael Correa, adds to the alarming violence during a special presidential election. Ecuador’s rise as a drug trafficking hub and battles between local gangs for control has led to thousands of deaths over the past years. The issue of crime and violence is dominating discussions around the election, with calls for tough measures to address the situation.
Ecuador: A political leader was assassinated less than a week after a presidential candidate was assassinated
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