A second Ecuadorian politician has been killed in the space of one week.

BBC News reports that Pedro Briones, a local party leader, 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.

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

The killings of politicians have rocked the country ahead of snap presidential elections on 20 August.

Mr Briones was a leader of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party in Esmeraldas.

The party’s presidential candidate, Luisa González, said that Ecuador was going through “its bloodiest period”.