SAN VICENTE, ECUADOR – A wave of shock and grief has swept across Ecuador following the discovery of the country’s youngest-ever mayor, Brigitte Garcia, shot dead in a car on Sunday. Garcia, 27, and her communications director, Jairo Loor, were found lifeless in the province of Manabi, triggering a nationwide investigation by the national police.
The rented vehicle, equipped with a GPS tracking system, appears to have been the scene of the crime, with initial reports suggesting that the shots were fired from inside the car. Garcia was a key figure in the Citizen Revolution Movement party, founded by former President Rafael Correa.
Ecuador has been battling a rising tide of violence, largely attributed to drug trafficking. The murder of Garcia is the latest in a series of political assassinations, the most recent being the killing of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August last year.
President Daniel Noboa, who had declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating violence in January, has strongly condemned the murders. His administration is working closely with national police to expedite the investigation. Despite the extension of the state of emergency earlier this month, the situation remains volatile.
The Municipality of San Vicente is mourning the loss of Garcia, who they remember as a leader with an unyielding spirit and a dedication to making the world a better place. One of Garcia’s last posts spoke of her ongoing commitment to her community, discussing a water project aimed at improving their lives.