Two candidates were shot dead during an armed attack in Huaquillas, a city in Ecuador’s southern coastal province of El Oro, on Monday night. The killings took place just days before the country’s local elections and left the community on edge. Local reports identified Ronald Farfan, a former mayor seeking to reclaim the post, and Cristhian Rugel, a candidate for city councilor, as the victims. Both were attending a political gathering with supporters when the attack occurred. The incident highlighted the rising violence that has plagued the province in recent months.
Xinhua reported that the two men were shot in the Los Israelitas neighborhood, where they were attending a political gathering with their supporters. The National Police confirmed the incident, stating that the attack may involve criminal groups, with the possibility of threats and extortion, though investigators remain undecided about the exact motive. The report emphasized that the murders were unrelated to the upcoming election campaign, suggesting an escalation of gang‑related violence in the region. This incident underscores the heightened security concerns that have emerged in the city in recent months.
An Associated Press report, cited in Spanish, confirmed the same facts and added that the shooting also killed a woman present at the gathering. The AP liaison noted that the attack took place in the same Los Israelitas area and that police were treating the incident as a potential gang‑related assault. While no official statement about a motive had been released, AP highlighted that the killings have raised concern among local voters about safety during the campaign period.
El Oro province has recorded nearly 1,000 homicides in 2026, a figure about 50 % higher than the same period last year, according to data cited by local media and electoral officials. The surge in violent crime has shattered the illusion of calm in the coastal region and is now part of the narrative that local authorities are using to justify an intensified police presence for the run‑up to the November 29 elections.
The killings come two weeks before the November 29 municipal elections in Ecuador, during which citizens will elect provincial prefects and vice‑prefects, mayors, urban and rural city councilors, and members of rural parish boards. The election campaign is scheduled to run from October 1 to November 15, and local parties are watching closely as violence threatens the integrity of voter turnout and confidence.
Officials say the violence underscored the growing instability in regions that have repeatedly seen homicide spikes. The two killings have prompted a heightened security response around the campaign trail, with police stations and patrols increased in the surrounding municipalities. While the rapid deployment of resources is intended to deter further attacks, local groups caution that limited budgets may hamper effective prevention, highlighting a challenge for election security.
Both Xinhua and AP emphasize that the incident is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public officials in Ecuador amidst rising criminal activity. As the country approaches the November elections, the authorities’ handling of this tragedy will likely influence voter perception and the overall tone of the campaign, potentially shaping outcomes in the contested province of El Oro.
