Ecuador party picks new presidential candidate after assassination

Christian Zurita, nominated by the Movimiento Construye to replace Fernando Villavicencio as presidential candidate, and vice-president candidate Andrea Gonzalez, right, after a press conference in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. Villavicencio was fatally shot at a political rally on Aug. 9 in Quito. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Alexandra Valencia

The political party of Ecuador’s assassinated presidential hopeful, Fernando Villavicencio, has picked a replacement candidate.

Mr Villavicencio’s Build party, or Construye in Spanish, told reporters at a press conference in the capital it would now opt for Christian Zurita to replace the slain 59-year-old in the August 20 vote.