In Ecuador, one of the leaders of the Civil Revolution movement was shot dead near his house. A week ago, a presidential candidate was assassinated.

Pedro Briones, leader of the left-wing political movement "Civil Revolution" in the Ecuadorian province of Esmeraldas, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his home on August 14.

A few days earlier, a presidential candidate from the Stroy movement, Fernando Villavicencio, was killed in the country. He was shot dead on August 9 with three shots to the head after an election meeting in Quito.

After the murder of Villavicencio in Ecuador, a state of emergency was introduced for 60 days. In the wake of Villavicencio's assassination, five out of seven presidential candidates have announced a suspension of their campaigns. However, the election date was not postponed.

Early presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Ecuador on August 20.