Fernando Villavicencio

Ecuador declared a state of emergency Thursday and asked the FBI to help probe the assassination of a popular presidential candidate, whose death has highlighted the once-peaceful nation's decline into a violent hotbed of drug trafficking.

Fernando Villavicencio, a candidate for Ecuador's presidential elections, was was shot dead in Quito on Wednesday when he was getting into a car after addressing a rally. A man from the crowd stepped forward and shot Villavicencio in the head.

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead after holding a rally in Quito on Wednesday evening, local media reported, citing Interior Minister Juan Zapata.

Ecuador declared a state of emergency Thursday and asked the FBI to help probe the assassination of a popular presidential candidate, whose death has highlighted the once-peaceful nation's decline into a violent hotbed of drug trafficking.

Fernando Villavicencio, a candidate for Ecuador's presidential elections, was was shot dead in Quito on Wednesday when he was getting into a car after addressing a rally. A man from the crowd stepped forward and shot Villavicencio in the head.

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead after holding a rally in Quito on Wednesday evening, local media reported, citing Interior Minister Juan Zapata.