Leaked Document Intensifies Pressure in Villavicencio Murder Case

QUITO, Ecuador – A newly leaked research document related to the⁤ assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando ⁤Villavicencio has surfaced, escalating political and judicial scrutiny surrounding⁣ the high-profile crime. The document, reportedly a protected witness’s statement to the Prosecutor’s Office, details alleged planning of the assassination and implicates figures connected to Correism, organized crime, and logistical networks across several Ecuadorian cities.

Details of the Leaked Testimony

The leak follows the circulation of a separate fiscal document two days prior,which ordered notifications to five individuals allegedly linked to Villavicencio’s⁤ murder. Former ⁣Vice President Jorge Glas and Sonia⁣ Vera disseminated the latest document ⁢via social media. Vera accused State Attorney General‍ Diana ⁣Salazar of fabricating a “new positive false,” dismissing the testimony as lacking evidence and part of ⁤a political persecution.

According to the leaked testimony, the protected witness claims to have received direct facts from an alleged logistics⁣ facilitator involved in the crime. This facilitator reportedly stated that‍ an ‍individual known as “General” orchestrated the murder to prevent Villavicencio from assuming the presidency. The testimony alleges that weapons were ⁣sourced from Santo Domingo and managed by individuals associated with criminal organizations,‍ perhaps linked to businessman Xavier Jordán, who is currently under investigation in the Metastasis case. Jordán, residing in the United States, allegedly requested that drug trafficker Leandro Norero silence Villavicencio, according to previously ⁣published chats from the Prosecutor’s Office.

Allegations and⁤ Key figures

The ⁣witness further alleges that the assassination ⁤plot⁤ was discussed during private meetings at the Zeus hotel in Riobamba. Alias “Invenger” was purportedly tasked with‍ surveilling Villavicencio and his team ⁣to facilitate the attack. The weapons, according to⁣ the testimony,⁤ were supplied by allied gangs operating along Ecuador’s northern border.

A significant element of the testimony involves Leandro Norero, a drug trafficker who was‍ killed in prison in October 2022. While the witness does not identify Norero as the “General,” thay claim that Norero, as a financial leader within criminal⁢ structures, provided funds for the⁣ operation.This suggests the possibility that the assassination planning commenced before Norero’s death, even though the testimony lacks specific dates or corroborating evidence such ⁢as financial transfers, communications, or additional witnesses.

Several political and judicial figures are named in the testimony as alleged participants or individuals with knowledge of the plan, including Jorge Glas, José Serrano, Ronny Aleaga, Xavier Jordán, and Daniel salcedo. These individuals were previously mentioned in a leaked document revealing a preliminary tax inquiry initiated on October 19, 2023, ‍to investigate the intellectual authorship of the assassination. The witness claims these individuals were part of a ‍network capable of providing resources, judicial⁣ protection, and political ⁣cover.

Reactions and Official Response

following the leak,Serrano issued⁢ a public statement denying any connection to the events described by the witness. He stated that he has not had contact with Jorge Glas since 2017 and described the accusations as “grotesque” and “unlikely.”

The State Attorney General’s Office acknowledged⁣ the new leak and issued a statement warning that the disclosure of confidential information constitutes a crime under article 180 of the ⁣Integral Criminal Organic Code. the office condemned the release of the information, citing risks to the witness’s safety, and announced legal action against the individual who disseminated the document, implicitly referring to Sonia Vera, who has been summoned to provide her account.

Family’s Perspective

The family of Fernando Villavicencio⁤ has responded cautiously to the leak.Amanda Villavicencio, one of the ex-legislator’s daughters, previously expressed concern about the potential impact on the judicial process‍ and the risks to those involved after the initial dissemination of confidential documents. Though, she ⁢acknowledged progress in the investigation into the⁤ intellectual authorship of the crime and urged⁤ rigorous action to identify those responsible.

Unanswered questions

The assassination of Villavicencio on August 9, 2023, remains unresolved, particularly concerning who ordered the hit. while several of the ⁤individuals directly involved ⁤in the murder⁣ have been killed in prison, the prosecutor’s office continues its investigation to determine responsibilities ⁣beyond the immediate perpetrators. Recent leaks indicate active lines of inquiry involving high-profile political figures, suggesting a potential new phase in the case in the coming weeks.

As Villavicencio’s family seeks justice and political⁤ factions allege judicial manipulation, the investigation continues amidst accusations, strategic ⁢leaks, and increasing public pressure. Nearly ten months after the crime, ⁣Ecuador awaits definitive answers regarding who ordered the murder of the journalist and the motives⁤ behind it.