Citizen engagement

Every day in every corner of the world there are examples of civic commitment from people who show above-average courage and generosity and who are capable of facing very serious personal risks. Most of the actions that go beyond the normal obligations that we must assume as inhabitants of a community that requires the work and support of all its members, beyond the taxes that are essential for the proper functioning of institutions and the provision of the necessary public services and respect for the laws and the basic rules of respect and coexistence, remain anonymous and are kept private with a certain modesty towards public notoriety and publicity in the media. There are thousands of heroes all over the world who, when faced with a critical situation, react to protect and help those in need, even if they have no direct obligation to do so. Even public officials whose duties include taking great risks, such as police, military or firefighters, do not hesitate to risk their lives to save the lives of those in need.

In these times, we must recognise the courage of those people who face the risk of being shot several times in the head, of being killed, because of the imperative need to prevent evil from triumphing and continuing to reign. People who put their personal commitment at the service of the community in which they live, even at the risk of the same thing happening to them as happened to their colleague and friend Fernando Villavicencio. We are talking about Ecuador, where the presidential elections have been marked by the assassination of several political, regional and national candidates.

The best known for his significance as a presidential candidate is that of Fernando Villavicencio. His place was not left empty because another member of his party, Christian Zurita, picked up the baton despite the risk of also being shot in the head. With no time to campaign, Zurita wore a helmet and bulletproof vest at his few electoral events. Narco-terrorists and hitmen who pull the trigger have no scruples, they corrupt everything they touch, consumption provides them with billions of dollars and the option of having better and more modern weapons than the police and security forces of the countries where they operate. With all the obvious differences and contexts, Spain suffered for many years from the terrorist nightmare and blackmail. Many conscientious people in the PP and PSOE took the step of replacing their murdered friends and colleagues on the electoral lists and in everyday life. This courage bore fruit, although now they are trying to impose a different story. What is clear and essential is the commitment, courage and defence of basic values and principles in order to achieve and maintain the rule of law, in peace and freedom, a democracy where not everything is valid in order to exercise and manipulate power.