In a chilling incident that has sent shockwaves through the coastal town of Puerto López, Ecuador, the dismembered heads of five individuals were discovered displayed on a local beach. This grim discovery appears to be a stark warning to the area’s fishermen, who have been facing threats from criminal gangs operating in the region.
The gruesome find was made on Sunday, with authorities identifying the remains as those of men aged between 20 and 34 years old. One of the victims had a prior criminal record for firearm possession, though the identities and backgrounds of the other four individuals are still under investigation.
The rise of gang activity in Ecuador’s coastal regions has been a growing concern, with the country’s interior ministry reporting that 2025 was the most violent year on record, with a staggering 9,176 homicides. This escalating violence is fueled by the country’s strategic location as a key transit point for the illegal drug trade, with powerful Mexican and Colombian cartels forging alliances with local criminal organisations.
In addition to drug trafficking, these gangs have been extorting local businesses, demanding “protection money” and attacking those who refuse to comply. The latest incident comes just weeks after a deadly shooting in Puerto López, in which six people, including a two-year-old child, were killed in a clash between rival factions of the notorious Los Choneros gang.
The US State Department has designated Los Choneros as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, and the group’s leader, known as “Fito,” was extradited to the United States last year. However, the gang’s influence continues to be felt, with the grisly display on the beach serving as a stark warning to the local community.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident, and residents of Puerto López have expressed a mix of fear and outrage at the escalating violence that has gripped their town. As Ecuador grapples with the complex web of drug trafficking and gang activity, the discovery of the severed heads on the beach serves as a chilling reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address this growing crisis.
