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, Thursd

Ecuador holds presidential election amid security concerns

Full Episode

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. 

Dolores Ochoa/AP

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.

In This Episode

In Ecuador, this presidential election is all about security
Bloc of West African states says it is prepared for military intervention in Niger
crowd of people holding signs with commentary about Britain's NHS
In its 75th year, Britain’s National Health Service is in critical condition
Special Coverage
A former Afghan diplomat makes a new home in Canada
podium
World’s faith leaders convene to ‘fight against authoritarianism’
Special Coverage
In Myanmar, revolutionary rappers have to duck the police
Nicaragua seizes prestigious Catholic university, decrying it as ‘center of terrorrism’
UN peacekeeper learns the lesson of how guns are not always the answer
Fukushima wastewater release concerns Japan’s fishing and tourism industries
Cuban pianist longs for home