Five Jailed for Murder of Ecuador Presidential Candidate

Fernando Villavicencio, a 59-year-old former investigative journalist and presidential candidate, was murdered in Ecuador. The killing occurred as he left a campaign rally in Quito, with gunmen on motorcycles reportedly involved. In connection to the crime, five individuals were tried and sentenced by an Ecuadorean court. Carlos Angulo, allegedly the leader of the Los Lobos gang, and Laura Castilla received 34 years and eight months in prison for directing the hit. Two other men and a woman were handed 12-year sentences for aiding the hit squad. Prosecutors accused at least two of those tried of belonging to the Los Lobos crime gang. The ruling can be appealed by both the prosecution and defense.