“Nobody is safe”: Murder of country’s youngest mayor shocks Ecuador Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman dies at age 90

Last weekend, persistent gang violence in Ecuador reached a new low. On Sunday, 27-year-old politician Brigitte García was found dead along with an aide. Garcia was mayor of the city of San Vicente – last year she became the youngest office holder in the country. In the small town, home to about 17,000 residents, she campaigned for better access to drinking water.

García’s body was discovered Sunday evening in a rental car on a Pacific beach near San Vicente. The two were shot by a person who was riding in the car with the two, according to initial findings. The police are in the dark: there are no suspects and no motive.

García’s death continues a series of murders in Ecuador. The province of Manabí on the west coast is currently particularly dangerous. In July, a mayor from the province was assassinated and in February 2023, an office candidate from the city of Puerto López was assassinated. Construye candidate Fernando Villavicencio was also shot dead in the capital Quito in August.

The fact that another politician, García, was murdered is causing horror in the country. “The shock is great,” journalist Sandra Weiss, who lives in South America, told SRF. And politician Luisa González writes about X: “I have no words, I am shocked, no one is safe in Ecuador. No one.”

Drug trafficking and gang violence cause chaos

The numerous deaths are likely linked to gang violence, which has increased sharply in the South American country. This is motivated by the illegal drug trade: cocaine is smuggled from South America to the US and Europe via the port city of Guayaquil.

In January, President Daniel Noboa’s government declared a national state of emergency. Since then, soldiers have patrolled the streets and recent chaotic prison conditions have been somewhat resolved. Nevertheless, the situation in the country remains precarious. “That is not enough, because the drug mafia cannot be defeated militarily,” said the journalist. To solve the problem, something is needed above all: alternatives for young people. Long-term solutions are only possible if there are attractive prospects outside the gangs. (dab)