Human heads found hanging on a beach in southwestern Ecuador
AP News••world
Key Points:
- Five human heads were found hanging from ropes on a beach in Puerto Lopez, southwestern Ecuador, with a warning sign targeting alleged extortionists of fishermen, highlighting ongoing violence linked to drug trafficking.
- Authorities attribute the incident to conflicts between criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, with fishermen and their boats being exploited for illicit activities by transnational cartels.
- The Manabi province, including Puerto Lopez and Manta, has experienced a surge in violent episodes due to disputes over territory and control of drug-trafficking routes, prompting a state of emergency in nine provinces.
- Recent violence includes a massacre killing six people in Puerto Lopez and another armed attack in Manta resulting in six deaths, leading to increased police operations and controls in the region
