Ecuadorian political violence reached a dramatic point when a presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, was killed by hitmen during a rally in Quito last Wednesday. The event sent shockwaves through Ecuadorian society and prompted deep reflection about the country’s safety, governance, and future direction.
In the Valencian Community, about 55,000 residents identify with Ecuador, and conversations about the current situation reveal a mix of fear and concern. Some people describe their homeland as slipping toward a narco-state as violence and organized crime intensify, shaping daily life at home and abroad.
In Murcia, a waiter working at a local Ecuadorian restaurant in Los Arcos recalls a troubling shift in public safety. He notes that insecurity on the streets has risen over the past year and admits that he would not feel comfortable returning to Ecuador, even though it remains a country filled with beauty and potential. He also shares that his parents, who travel to Ecuador every couple of years, have not visited in more than three years due to fear. He once hoped to take his son back to show him his roots, but those plans have become impossible in the current climate.
Similarly, a booth worker in the Murcian capital explains his anxiety as he watches the news. He says the country is experiencing a surge in shootings and a proliferation of hitmen, and he worries about his family. The idea of planning a visit feels increasingly risky, as relatives beg him to stay away for safety. It is a stark reminder that the shadows of danger extend far beyond borders and affect connections across families and continents.
Felipe, who lives in Murcia with a different set of pressures, is separated from his wife and two children and does his best to support them financially. For him, the story grows more complicated as relatives in Guayaquil report pressure from a criminal economy described as a type of vaccine used by gangs to extract money. He explains that relatives must pay daily extortion demands, sometimes within a broad range, tying everyday life to the fear of violence. He notes that this mafia operates with weapons and a policing void, making resistance feel nearly impossible in many cases.
Felipe stresses that the police are not seen as a reliable solution in his view. He expresses distrust about reporting crimes, fearing retribution that could endanger witnesses or families. Still, he insists that his homeland remains a country of immense wealth and potential, and he refuses to abandon it despite the danger and disruption faced by loved ones at home.
Ignacio Santín, who leads an Ecuadorian organization called Good People of Europe, Asia and Oceania, offers a pointed perspective from Murcia. He reveals a profound sense of sorrow over the country’s trajectory and says that a dangerous drift is eroding democracy. Ignacio has personal ties across the Atlantic, with siblings, nephews, and friends in Loja, in southern Ecuador, and he highlights how drug shipments move from that region into broader networks throughout Latin America and beyond. His observations emphasize a pattern of violence that crosses borders and hurts families, communities, and institutions alike.
In conversation with supporters and community members, Ignacio also shares news of a peaceful response. Ecuadorians in Murcia are organizing a large, nonviolent demonstration to reject the ongoing violence and the political violence tied to the recent crime. The plan is to gather in a public space to express solidarity and demand a safer, more accountable future for Ecuador and its diaspora.
Across the spectrum of Latino associations, including the Ecuadorian community in Murcia, the aim is to present a unified voice showing the shared pain of families affected by the crisis. A major gathering is scheduled for this Sunday starting at 18:00 in the Jardín de la Seda in Murcia. The event is framed as a step toward transforming murmurings of fear into visible, collective action that conveys a clear message about safety and dignity. The organizers hope the gathering will break down barriers within the region and be heard as a call for national unity and resilient citizenship. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to honor the memories of those affected while advocating for effective protection, justice, and social cohesion in both Ecuador and its communities abroad.