In April 2017, Villavicencio, a journalist and author, sought asylum in Peru due to threats against him and his family, and a pre-trial detention order alleging he leaked documents related to his investigation of state-owned Petroecuador. He was acquitted in February 2018. On August 9, 2023, Villavicencio was assassinated; the six hitmen were arrested and later found dead in their cells.