Authorities in Ecuador have confirmed the discovery of five human heads displayed on a beach in the coastal town of Puerto López, underscoring the country’s worsening security crisis linked to drug trafficking.

The incident occurred in Manabí Province, a region that has become a hotspot for violent clashes between rival criminal groups competing for control of drug routes along Ecuador’s coastline.



Police say the act is believed to be a warning linked to conflicts involving organized crime groups, some of which have ties to transnational drug cartels. Authorities noted that fishermen and small fishing vessels in the area have increasingly been exploited for illicit trafficking activities.

Local media reported that a written message was left at the scene, allegedly directed at individuals accused of extorting fishermen in the community.



Security forces have since intensified surveillance and control operations in Puerto López. The town falls within one of nine provinces currently under a state of emergency, imposed by the government in an effort to curb escalating violence, particularly in coastal regions.

Despite the emergency measures, violent incidents linked to territorial disputes and drug trafficking continue to plague Manabí and other parts of the country, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current security efforts.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.