Andrea González, vice presidential candidate of Ecuador. Dolores Ochoa / AP
"I wear a bulletproof vest 24 hours a day"
Andrea González, vice-presidential candidate in Ecuador's election, tells the BBC that she wears a bulletproof vest around the clock. That after Fernando Villavicencio, who was running to become the new president along with González, was shot dead last week.
- For me, it is extremely personal and difficult not to have the opportunity to say goodbye to my friend, she says.
Villavicencio was shot three times in the head after a rally. His campaign focused on corruption and gang crime. Six Colombians have been arrested on suspicion of his murder.
Police escort Fernando Villavicencio's coffin. Carlos Noriega / AP
Expert: The murder in Ecuador could affect the election results
The murder of one of the presidential candidates in Ecuador, Fernando Villavicencio, may affect the outcome of the election on Sunday, Paolo Moncagatta of the University of San Francisco in Quito told AFP.
According to Moncagatta, the issue of security and organized crime were important election issues even before the murder, and he believes that the incident will "strengthen the candidates who have the most unwavering stance" against crime.
Villavicencio was the second most popular candidate, according to polls conducted before his death. Authorities have arrested six Colombians suspected of involvement in the murder.
Supporters of Villavicencio have, without presenting any evidence, accused former president Rafael Correa of being behind the deed.
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