Ecuador has declared a state of emergency situation after a prominent anti-corruption opposition candidate was assassinated at a political rally on early Thursday. Fernando Villavicencio’s assassination is the latest flare-up of gang-driven violence in the country two weeks before a special presidential election.Ecuador has declared a state of emergency situation after a prominent anti-corruption opposition candidate was assassinated at a political rally on early Thursday. Fernando Villavicencio’s assassination is the latest flare-up of gang-driven violence in the country two weeks before a special presidential election.