the bbc world service latin america regional editor leonardo rocha reports.llavicencio was shot dead as he finished a rally in the capital, quito. he was approached by a gunman who shot him in the head three times be or they escape. he was a former union leader, a former journalist who clashed with other politicians in the past for his role as an investigative journalist, and he was a current member of congress. he was running on an anti—corruption and pro— environmental campaign. he was one of several candidates running for president. the first round of the election will take place on august 20, he was opinion polls put in third orfourth place but he had a chance because there would be a second round of votes probably later this year. he is the latest victim of this crime wave in ecuador, he survived an attempt on his life before, and ecuador is going through a serious crisis, triggered mainly by the increasing involvement of mexican drug gangs in the country. there have been lots of murders, prison riots and other politicians have been targeted and killed d

party because they claim he has connections to other parties. 0ur americas regional editor — leonardo rochaador. the political divisions of the country seem to be as bad as ever. what we have here is the party of the formal left—wing president complaining against his replacement. a decision will be taken later today by the electoral court. but it doesn't seem like a fair decision by many people in ecuador. they say it's more of politics that split the country and poison the atmosphere. a split between right and left that's affecting not only ecuador but many countries in the region.— countries in the region. people, some were _ countries in the region. people, some were surprised _ countries in the region. people, some were surprised when - countries in the region. people, some were surprised when the l some were surprised when the election was still going to go ahead given what's happened. that decision was made swiftly. we now see candidates walking around in bulletproof vest. it is an extraordinary situation in the country. it extraordinary situation in the count . , extraordinary situat