Quito - Ecuador's Build party, associated with the slain presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio, has chosen a new vice presidential candidate to step in as the party's standard-bearer just one week before the upcoming election on August 20th.

Villavicencio's political party, known as Construye (Build in English), made the announcement on social media, revealing that Andrea Gonzalez has been selected to replace the late 59-year-old candidate in the upcoming vote. However, the deceased candidate's widow later expressed criticism of the party's decision, deeming it unlawful.

Fernando Villavicencio, a former lawmaker and journalist known for exposing corruption, was tragically assassinated last week shortly after leaving a campaign event in the capital city, Quito, despite being under the protection of his government-provided security detail.

Six individuals, all Colombian nationals with alleged connections to criminal groups, have been charged with Villavicencio's murder. They are currently in custody, following a judge's decision to keep them detained as the criminal investigation progresses.

Veronica Sarauz, Villavicencio's widow, placed direct responsibility on the state for her husband's killing. She stated, "The government still needs to provide many answers regarding everything that transpired." She arrived at a press conference with armed police protection, wearing a bullet-proof vest and a helmet.

Sarauz criticized the party's choice of Andrea Gonzalez as "arbitrary" and argued that it violates a law preventing the vice presidential candidate from withdrawing. Approval from the national electoral council is still required for the replacement candidates chosen by the party.

Andrea Gonzalez, an environmental activist with no previous experience in public office, had been selected by Villavicencio to be his running mate for the snap election called by the outgoing President Guillermo Lasso. Despite ballots having already been printed, the law dictates that votes for Villavicencio will automatically transfer to the new party candidate.

Ecuador, a South American nation with a population of approximately 18 million, has witnessed a surge in violence in recent years, accompanied by a significant rise in the murder rate.

Prior to his assassination, Villavicencio's poll numbers placed him in the middle of the pack among eight candidates. Security, employment, and migration have emerged as primary campaign issues in the country.