Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has been shot and killed by an unidentified gunman whereas at a political rally in Quito.

The killing comes amid an alarming wave of violence within the nation, with drug trafficking and violent killings on the rise.

Incumbent president, Guillermo Lasso, urged an organised crime gang was behind the killing.

Mr Villavicencio was one among eight candidates within the 20 August presidential vote, although not the frontrunner.

"I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished," Mr Lasso mentioned in an announcement.

"Organised crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law."

Ecuador's lawyer normal's workplace mentioned a suspect within the assassination died of wounds after being arrested by authorities.

Videos on social media seem to point out the candidate strolling out of the occasion surrounded by guards.

They then present Villavicencio getting into a white truck adopted by gunfire, info that was confirmed by Patricio Zuquilanda, Mr Villavicencio's marketing campaign adviser.

Mr Zuquilanda mentioned the candidate had obtained loss of life threats earlier than the taking pictures, which he had reported to authorities and resulted in a single detention.

He known as on worldwide authorities to take motion towards the violence, attributing it to drug trafficking.

"The Ecuadorian people are crying and Ecuador is mortally wounded," he mentioned.

"Politics cannot lead to the death of any member of society."

Police confirmed that a number of others have been injured, together with officers, describing the incident as a terrorist act and promising to unravel the killing.

The politician, 59, was the candidate for the Build Ecuador Movement.

He was probably the most essential voices towards corruption, particularly throughout the federal government of former president Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017.

He filed many judicial complaints towards excessive rating members of the Correa authorities.

He was married and is survived by 5 youngsters