Ecuador’s youngest mayor, Brigitte García, along with her press officer, Jairo Loor, have been found shot dead in a vehicle on Sunday amidst an ongoing state of emergency.
The 27-year-old mayor of San Vicente, a member of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party, was discovered alongside her advisor, according to Ecuadorian police.
The bodies were found by authorities without vital signs and with gunshot wounds, as detailed in a social media post by Ecuadorian police.
While investigators are diligently working to determine a motive for the shooting, initial findings suggest that the shots were fired from within the vehicle.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across Ecuador, with Luisa Gonzalez, a fellow member of the Citizen Revolution Party, labeling García’s death as an assassination.
“I have no words… no one is safe in Ecuador,” Gonzalez expressed in a statement shared on social media.
The unfortunate demise of García comes in the wake of President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of a nationwide state of emergency in January.
This measure was taken following outbreaks of violence attributed to “internal armed conflict” and the prison escape of alleged gang leader Adolfo “Fito” Macías, head of the notorious “Los Choneros” gang, known for its involvement in car bombings, kidnappings, and murders.
President Noboa, aged 36, extended the state of emergency by an additional 30 days on March 7, citing the need to maintain order and reduce homicides.
During this period, intentional homicides have reportedly decreased by half, with the Ecuadorian government confirming numerous arrests and casualties among alleged terrorists.
In light of the escalating situation, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador have advised American citizens to exercise increased caution and adhere to local laws and regulations.
The advisory further cautions against travel to areas marked as high-risk, emphasizing the potential for opportunistic crimes amid the ongoing conflict.
While the exact circumstances surrounding García’s death continue to be investigated, the tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by escalating violence and unrest in Ecuador.
