Construye Movement, the party of slain Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, said Saturday that his running mate would replace him in the race for the South American nation's top job.
"Andrea Gonzalez Nader was selected by Fernando Villavicencio and Construye Movement to replace him as president in case of his absence […]. Andrea Gonzalez will be registered as a candidate for president of the Republic of Ecuador," it said in a statement.
Villavicencio was shot dead at a campaign rally on Wednesday, less than two weeks before the election. Nine other people were reportedly injured during the rally.
The main suspect in the assassination died of gunshot wounds, the General Prosecutor's Office said, while six other suspects were detained.
On Thursday, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced a state of emergency across the country for 60 days in connection with the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The president also declared three days of national mourning in connection with the assassination.
The small Andean nation saw a spike in violence this year, including attacks and threats against political candidates, other public figures and journalists. Prosecutors said Villavicencio received death threats shortly before the attack.