The Movimiento Construye party this Sunday announced journalist Cristian Zurita as a presidential candidate to fill the void left by his predecessor, Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot dead this week.

This Saturday, it was announced that vice presidential candidate Andrea Gonzalez would take the seat, but that option was canceled due to the country’s electoral law prohibiting such movement.

“We are going to vote for Fernando Villavicencio. Revenge against the mafia will be the vote for Fernando Villavicencio, ”Zurita said, appearing before the media in a bulletproof vest as a security measure.

The Quito-born journalist was a friend of the slain candidate, and they worked together on numerous journalistic exclusives.

Zurita has indicated that he will attend the debate this Sunday between the presidential candidates, but will not be able to participate while the candidacy is being processed.

The first attempt to nominate González ended in failure, as Ecuadorian electoral law under no circumstances allows a candidate to be changed in the midst of a campaign, despite complaints from the party.

Zurita has a long journalistic career behind him, first as a reporter for Vistazo Magazine, head of investigative reporting for the 24-hour newscast, or El Universo’s special editor on corruption, organized crime and drug trafficking.