Multiple Ecuadorian Suspects in Assassination of Presidential Candidate Found Dead in Prison

Six Colombian prisoners, who were arrested as the alleged assassins of a candidate in Ecuador's presidential election, were killed inside a prison in Guayaquil. The prisoners were charged with the murder of former presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The killings occurred in Litoral Penitentiary, Ecuador's largest and most dangerous prison. Villavicencio, a politician and former journalist, had reported being threatened by affiliates of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel and was outspoken about the links between organized crime and government officials. Ecuador has seen a surge in violence and drug trafficking, leading to concerns about the country's safety.