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March 06, 2025 – Ecuador –
Patricio Ernesto Aguilar Vásquez, a journalist and television presenter in Ecuador, was shot and killed on March 2, 2025, in the city of La Troncal, marking the latest in a growing wave of violence targeting the country’s press. Aguilar, who hosted the opinion show Claroscuro on a local TV channel, was ambushed by unidentified gunmen who fired multiple times before fleeing the scene. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Aguilar succumbed to his injuries.
According to eyewitnesses and local reports, the attack appeared to be premeditated. Surveillance footage revealed that the assailants were waiting for him outside his workplace. The nature of the crime has sparked serious concerns among press freedom advocates, particularly given Aguilar’s reputation for critical commentary on corruption and local governance.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay strongly condemned the murder, urging Ecuadorian authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) echoed this demand, highlighting that the killing adds to an already grim trend of escalating violence against journalists in Ecuador. In 2023 alone, RSF recorded more than a dozen attacks, including threats, shootings, and acts of intimidation targeting media professionals.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Ecuadorian authorities to swiftly determine whether Aguilar’s murder was linked to his journalism. They also urged the government to strengthen protections for journalists, particularly those reporting on sensitive issues like political corruption, drug trafficking, and public security.
Ecuador has become increasingly dangerous for journalists in recent years as organized crime and drug-related violence spill into the public sphere. Aguilar’s killing follows a spate of attacks, including armed assaults on newsrooms and the assassination of other media workers. Journalists now face mounting pressure to self-censor, while many media outlets report under the threat of violence.
Aguilar’s death has sparked protests and calls for accountability across Ecuador. His colleagues and viewers mourn the loss of a voice that dared to question the powerful—and worry about the rising cost of doing journalism in an increasingly hostile environment.
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