The tragic news of the violent deaths of Ecuador’s youngest mayor, Brigitte García, and her press officer has shocked the nation. The 27-year-old mayor of San Vicente, a rising star in the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party, was found brutally shot to death alongside her advisor, Jairo Loor.
This incident occurred during an ongoing state of emergency in the country, adding further chaos and uncertainty to the already troubled political landscape. The heinous nature of this crime underscores the pressing need for increased security measures and vigilance in safeguarding public officials and upholding law and order.
Ecuadorian police found the two individuals that morning without vital signs and with gunshot wounds, according to the social media post. Police stated that they are working to determine a motive for the shooting.
After collecting ballistics evidence and conducting a preliminary investigation, police determined that the shots were fired from inside the vehicle. and that the suspects may have been involved in a targeted attack.
Investigators are currently gathering more information and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading up to the incident. The authorities have assured the public that they are taking all necessary steps to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the safety of the community.
Investigators are continuing to analyze the car’s route, which appears to be rented, according to Ecuadorian police in a post shared later that afternoon. “No one is safe in Ecuador,” said Luisa Gonzalez, a fellow member of the Citizen Revolution Party.
Gonzalez, who ran for president of Ecuador in 2023, referred to García’s death as an assassination. “I’ve just found out they’ve assassinated our fellow mayor of San Vicente, Brigitte Garcia,” Gonzalez stated in a post on X. “I have no words… no one is safe in Ecuador.”
On March 7, Noboa extended the emergency order by an additional 30 days. The 36-year-old president, who designated 22 gangs as terrorist groups, stated that the extension would help “sustain military patrols in prisons and high-crime areas, maintain order, and reduce homicides,” as reported by Reuters. Since the emergency order was implemented, intentional homicides have decreased by half, from an average of 24 per day to 12 per day, according to the report.
The Ecuadorian government has officially confirmed that a total of 1, 534 individuals have been taken into custody, while also reporting that five individuals labeled as “terrorists” were fatally shot during a substantial number exceeding 15, 000 law enforcement operations conducted throughout the region. This information was reported by The Guardian, highlighting the significant and intense nature of these security measures undertaken by the authorities.
Adam Clark
Adam Clark AKA “Ruckus” is the host and producer of The Daily Ruckus, a news and opinion based podcast that started out as a hobby but eventually became a regular show featured on Alternate Current Radio.
A self-described Jack-of-all-trades, he is a business and marketing consultant, graphic designer, webmaster, content creator, media analyst, and prolific commentator. Adam’s interests are in cryptohistory, media, current events, science & technology, and avoiding contact with sharks.
