Eight dismembered bodies found in illegal Ecuador mine, say police

Ecuadorian authorities discovered the remains of eight dismembered individuals in mass graves at an illegal mine in the southern province of Azuay on Sunday. The country is grappling with a surge in violence despite President Daniel Noboa's tough stance against organized crime, as gangs fight over drug trafficking routes and mining resources.

The bodies, buried roughly two meters deep with their hands tied, were found in two mass graves in the municipality of Pucara, where illegal gold and copper mining activities have surged in recent years under the Los Lobos gang's control. The injuries inflicted on the victims included dismemberment and decapitation with a machete, discovered by local judicial police head Pablo Inga.

Preliminary analysis suggests the bodies had been buried for approximately two days, with their identities yet to be confirmed. The mine lacked operating permits, and police accessed the remote area after receiving reports of gunfire. Neighbors had also reported missing relatives. Ecuador has transformed from a relatively safe nation to a hub for cocaine trafficking in recent years, with a homicide rate of nearly 51 per 100,000 people last year.

Azuay is among the ten provinces under a state of emergency since June due to escalating armed violence. Since assuming office in 2023, Noboa has repeatedly declared states of emergency to tackle gangs, although human rights organizations have criticized potential abuses by security forces.