13-01-2026

Ecuador Beach Finds Severed Human Heads

Date: 13-01-2026
Sources: cbsnews.com: 1 | foxnews.com: 1 | news.sky.com: 1
Image for cluster 2
Image Source:

Source: foxnews.com

Image content: The image depicts a man kneeling on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back, surrounded by two military personnel. The man is wearing a white sleeveless shirt with "MESSI" printed on the back and has short dark hair. He is kneeling on a concrete sidewalk, facing away from the camera. His hands are cuffed behind his back. Two men in military uniforms stand on either side of him, both wearing green camouflage fatigues, black bulletproof vests, and helmets. They are also wearing black face masks and have their hands resting on their hips or by their sides. The man on the left is holding a gun in a holster at his right hip. In the background, there is a gray concrete wall with a small arched window and a white door to the left. To the right of the window, there appears to be a storefront with a metal gate and various items displayed outside.

Summary

Five human heads were discovered displayed at a tourist beach in Ecuador's Puerto Lopez, amidst a surge in gang violence linked to international drug cartels and local extortion. The gruesome display was accompanied by a threatening message targeting gang members, highlighting the ongoing conflict between criminal groups vying for control of drug-trafficking routes.

Key Points

  • Five human heads were found displayed at Puerto Lopez beach in Ecuador
  • The incident is linked to a conflict between gangs over drug-trafficking routes
  • The violence is part of a larger surge in homicides and extortion in Ecuador

Articles in this Cluster

Human heads displayed at Ecuador tourist beach in warning to gangs - CBS News

The article reports on the discovery of five human heads displayed at a tourist beach in Ecuador, Puerto Lopez, as a warning to gangs. The gruesome display was accompanied by a threatening message targeting gang members who extort protection payments. This incident is part of a larger wave of gang violence in Ecuador, which has seen a significant increase in homicides and is linked to international drug cartels. The country's president, Daniel Noboa, has pledged to fight criminal organizations, but two years of military activity have failed to stem the violence.
Entities: Ecuador, Puerto Lopez, Daniel Noboa, Ecuadorian Observatory of Organized Crime, Colombian cartelsTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Five human heads found hanging on Ecuador beach amid ongoing gang violence | Fox News

Five severed human heads were found hanging from ropes on a beach in southwestern Ecuador, linked to ongoing gang violence. The gruesome display is believed to be a result of a conflict between criminal groups operating in the area, with a threatening message aimed at alleged extortionists targeting local fishermen. The violence is part of a larger surge in drug-related violence in Ecuador, with the government declaring states of emergency in several provinces.
Entities: Ecuador, Puerto Lopez, Manabi, Daniel Noboa, Associated PressTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Five human heads found hanging at picturesque beach | World News | Sky News

Five human heads were discovered hanging from ropes on a beach in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, amidst a surge in violence linked to drug trafficking. The gruesome incident is attributed to a conflict between criminal groups vying for control of drug-trafficking routes. The region has been plagued by violent episodes, with the Manabi province experiencing a significant increase in violence. The Ecuadorian government has enforced a state of emergency in nine provinces, including Manabi, in an attempt to contain the violence.
Entities: Ecuador, Puerto Lopez, Manabi, drug trafficking, transnational cartelsTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform