In a chilling discovery, Ecuadorean police uncovered a gruesome scene on Sunday in the quiet community of Guabo, located in El Oro province in the southern part of Ecuador. Officers found 10 bodies at a property in the area, a stark reminder of the violence that has gripped the country in recent years.
Colonel Pablo Fajardo, speaking to local reporters, described the horrifying details. “There are nine dead bodies, and about a kilometer away, we found another body, completely dismembered and stuffed into a jute bag,” he said. The police are still investigating who these victims were, as their identities remain a mystery. Fajardo mentioned the possibility that they might be foreigners, attacked while resting at the property.
This tragedy is another sign of Ecuador’s worsening crime problem. Violence has surged across the nation, fueled by drug trafficking gangs battling for control over smuggling routes and territory. The escalating chaos prompted President Daniel Noboa to declare a state of internal armed conflict earlier this year. His government has also labeled nearly two dozen criminal groups as terrorist organizations in an effort to crack down on the violence.
At the crime scene, police found bullets from 9-millimeter rounds and 5.56 caliber rifles, indicating the use of powerful firearms. Investigators believe the victims may have been involved in criminal activities like drug trafficking, robbery, or even attempted murder. It’s possible that others who were with them managed to escape the attack.
The tragic discovery in Guabo adds to the growing sense of fear in Ecuador. Once known for its peaceful towns and breathtaking landscapes, the Andean nation now faces a troubling wave of violence, leaving communities shaken and desperate for answers. As police continue to piece together what happened, one thing is clear: Ecuador’s battle against crime is far from over.
