Ecuador holds presidential election amid security concerns
A supporter of the “Movement Construye” party wearing a shirt with the image of slain candidate Fernando Villavicencio, stands next to a police officer in tactical gear during a Catholic Mass prior to their closing campaign rally in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. The upcoming snap election set for Aug. 20, was called after President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly by decree in May, to avoid being impeached.
Ecuadorians will take part in a snap election this weekend in a tense political atmosphere. The country is grappling with a recent wave of unprecedented violence that has seen three politicians assassinated in less than a month. And, former Afghan diplomat, Abduljamil Bais, is resettling with his family in Canada. This follows a harrowing journey for Bais, his wife and three kids through South and Central America. Also, in Myanmar, rappers are considered the artistic arm of a revolution to bring down the ruling military through armed rebellion. “Rap Against Junta” is a collective of lyricists who work under pseudonyms and change locations frequently to avoid getting caught. Plus, a Cuban pianist longs for home.
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