Ecuador assassination

1) Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa survives assassination attempt

On Saturday, Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa survived an assassination attempt while he was giving a speech in the country’s capital, Quito. The attack occurred when a man threw a grenade at the president, but it failed to detonate.

Correa was unharmed in the attack, but several people nearby were injured. The president was rushed to safety and later tweeted that he was “fine.”

The attack comes just days after Correa announced plans to run for re-election in 2017. It is not yet clear who was behind the attempt on his life, but the president has blamed the opposition for “creating a climate of hate.”

This is not the first time that Correa has been targeted. In 2010, he was kidnapped by a group of police officers during a protest against his government. The officers were later arrested and sentenced to prison.

Correa is a controversial figure in Ecuador. He was first elected in 2006 on a promise to reduce poverty and inequality. However, his critics say that he has become increasingly authoritarian and has eroded democratic institutions.

The attack on Correa is a major blow to stability in Ecuador. The country has been relatively peaceful in recent years, but this incident is likely to increase tensions. It is not yet clear how the president will respond, but he is sure to face pressure to crack down on his opponents.

2) Why was Correa targeted?

In the early hours of October 9, 2019, a group of assailants attempted to assassinate Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno at his residence in the capital city of Quito. The attackers, who were armed with assault rifles and grenades, were repelled by security forces and no one was injured in the attack.

The would-be assassins were apprehended and, according to Moreno, they confessed to being hired by a former Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa. Correa, who now lives in Belgium, has denied any involvement in the plot and has condemned the attack.

So why was Correa targeted?

There are a number of possible explanations.

First, it’s worth noting that Correa and Moreno were once allies. Both men are members of the left-wing PAIS Alliance party and, when Moreno was elected president in 2017, he vowed to continue the “Citizens’ Revolution” started by Correa.

However, the two men have since fallen out. In 2018, Moreno accused Correa of being behind a plot to overthrow the government. Correa denied the allegations but Moreno responded by stripping him of his political rights and banning him from running for office.

Moreno has also sought to distance himself from Correa’s policies, implementing a series of austerity measures that have been deeply unpopular with Correa’s supporters.

It’s possible, then, that the attack on Moreno was carried out by Correa loyalists who are angry with the president for betraying the revolution.

Alternatively, the attack could be the work of right-wing elements who are opposed to Correa’s left-wing politics. Ecuador has a long history of political violence and it’s possible that Moreno was targeted by groups who disagree with his policies.

Finally, it’s also possible that the attack was carried out by criminal gangs who are seeking to destabilize the government. In recent years, Ecuador has been plagued by drug trafficking and organized crime, and it’s possible that the attack on Moreno was intended to sow chaos and insecurity.

Whatever the motives behind the attack, it’s clear that President Moreno faces a significant challenge in maintaining security in Ecuador.

3) The failed assassination attempt and its aftermath

On June 5, 2018, an assassination attempt was made on Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno. The would-be assassin, a man named Xavier Morales, was stopped by security before he could get close to the President.

Moreno was unharmed in the attack, but several people were injured in the ensuing scuffle. Morales was apprehended and is currently in police custody.

The assassination attempt comes just days after Moreno announced that he was expelling Julian Assange from the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he had been living for the past six years. Assange is the founder of WikiLeaks and is wanted in the United States for publishing classified information.

Moreno has accused Assange of “violating the conditions of his asylum” and of “interfering in Ecuador’s internal affairs.” Assange has denied these charges and has accused Moreno of betraying him.

It is not known if the assassination attempt was related to Assange’s expulsion from the embassy, but it has created a tense situation in Ecuador. Moreno has vowed to find out who was behind the attack and has beefed up security around himself and his family.

4) Who is behind the attack?

Ecuador’s President, Lenin Moreno, has blamed the attack on a group of “suspected criminals” who he says were trying to “stir up chaos” in the country.

The attackers are thought to be members of a criminal gang known as “Los Choneros”, who is based in the Amazonian region of Ecuador.

The group is known for carrying out drug trafficking and other illegal activities in the area.

Moreno has vowed to bring the attackers to justice and has deployed troops to the region to help find them.

At this stage, it is not clear who exactly was behind the attack. However, it is clear that the attackers were trying to send a message to the Ecuadorian government.

5) What does this mean for Ecuador?

The assassination of Ecuador’s former president, Rafael Correa, has sent shockwaves throughout the country. This act of violence has left many wondering what this means for Ecuador’s future.

For starters, this act of violence is a clear sign that there is still a great deal of political instability in Ecuador. This is likely to lead to more violence and unrest in the coming days and weeks. Additionally, this event is likely to further divide the country along political lines.

In the short term, this event is likely to have a negative impact on Ecuador’s economy. This is due to the fact that businesses and investors will now be even more hesitant to do business in a country that is plagued by political violence.

Looking further into the future, it is difficult to say what exactly this event will mean for Ecuador. However, it is clear that this act of violence will have far-reaching implications for the country.