Senior Ecuadorian Official Assassinated

On Sunday, a member of Ecuador President Daniel Noboa's party was assassinated ahead of the second presidential debate, according to Europa Press.

President Noboa posted on X, saying: "Narciso Saldarriaga has just been assassinated."

The report highlighted that crime and drug cartels pose major challenges for President Noboa, who is set to face leftist candidate Luisa González in the presidential runoff on April 13.

"Narciso Saldarriaga, our electoral oversight delegate in northern Manabí, has just been killed in Canuto. My deepest condolences to his family. This crime will not go unpunished," the president wrote on X.

Saldarriaga served as an electoral oversight representative for the Frente Democrático Popular (Popular Democratic Front) in the northern part of Manabí province, located in western Ecuador.

Saldarriaga held several positions as deputy mayor and council member throughout his career. 

He was known for his active participation in municipal governance and his dedication to the development of his canton.