Second Ecuador politician killed in less than a week

A local party leader has been killed in Ecuador, the second politician to be assassinated in the space of a week.

Pedro Briones was shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle at his home in northern Esmeraldas province.

His killing comes just five days after presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was gunned down in the capital, Quito.

Ecuador’s murder rate has surged as local gangs have forged alliances with international crime cartels.

Read more: BBC News