Tragic news emerged from Ecuador as the youngest mayor in the country's history, 27-year-old Brigitte Garcia, was discovered shot dead next to her communications director, Jairo Loor, in a car on the side of a road in the province of Manabi. The incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, has sent shockwaves through the nation.
The vehicle in which Garcia and Loor were found was a rented car equipped with a GPS system that allowed authorities to track its movements. Initial investigations by the national police suggest that the gunfire that claimed their lives originated from inside the car.
Garcia, a member of former President Rafael Correa’s Citizen Revolution Movement party, is the latest political figure to fall victim to violence in Ecuador. The country has been grappling with a surge in violence, with drug trafficking being cited as a major contributing factor.
Political figures in Ecuador have faced grave dangers in recent times. Last August, presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, known for his anti-corruption stance, was assassinated just weeks before the election. President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating violence, with armed groups targeting various sectors of society.
Noboa's government has taken a firm stance against criminal organizations, designating 22 groups as terrorist entities. Despite these measures, the wave of violence has persisted, claiming the lives of prominent individuals like Garcia and Loor.
The Municipality of San Vicente, where Garcia served as mayor, expressed profound sorrow at her untimely death. They remembered her as a dedicated public servant with an unwavering commitment to improving the community.
President Noboa's administration has vowed to collaborate closely with law enforcement to swiftly investigate the tragic deaths of Garcia and Loor. The shocking nature of these killings has underscored the urgent need for enhanced security measures in Ecuador.
