Five heads found on Ecuador beach tied to gang war over drug routes, amid record violence.

On a beach in Puerto López, Ecuador, five human heads were discovered dangling from ropes in a violent display connected to gang strife over drug-trafficking routes. Authorities suspect rival criminal groups were behind the grim scene, which included a warning sign directed at local fishermen's extortionists. The incident took place during a spike in violence throughout Ecuador, which saw over 9,000 homicides in 2025—the deadliest year on record—caused by international drug cartels taking advantage of coastal communities. Nine provinces, including Manabí, are still under a state of emergency as police step up their efforts to combat rising crime.