In the southern coastal city of Huaquillas, residents woke to news that two candidates for the upcoming Nov. 29 local elections had been shot dead last night. Former mayor Ronald Farfan, who was campaigning to reclaim his former post, and Cristhian Rugel, a city councilor hopeful, were killed in an armed attack on the evening of Monday, Nov. 10.
The victims were attending a political gathering with supporters in the Los Israelitas neighborhood when gunmen opened fire. According to the National Police, who confirmed the incident, the attack occurred during the rally just minutes before the candidates would address a crowd about their campaign promises.
Local media reported Tuesday that the shooting also claimed the life of a woman, but the police have not released her name. The incident has further elevado concerns about the rising violence that shadows the province.
El Oro province has recorded nearly 1,000 homicides so far in 2026, about 50 percent more than in the same period last year, according to official figures cited by local outlets. The police are investigating several possible motives, including threats and extortion by criminal groups.
These killings come days before the province’s November 29 elections, in which voters will choose provincial prefects, vice‑prefects, mayors, urban and rural city councilors, and members of rural parish boards. The Nov. 11 Xinhua report underscores the incident as a stark reminder of the volatility that could affect the electoral outcome.
Police have not yet identified the perpetrators but have urged the public to cooperate with investigations. Calls for security measures at upcoming rallies have intensified, with local officials promising increased police presence during the final electoral week.
The tragic event underscores the dangerous climate facing political candidates in Ecuador’s El Oro province, raising questions about the safety of the electoral process and the broader context of violence that has escalated in recent months.
