Eight dismembered bodies found at Ecuador mine, police say

Ecuadoran authorities found eight dismembered bodies on Sunday in two mass graves at an illegal mine in Pucara, in the southern province of Azuay, police said.

Pablo Inga, head of the local judicial police, told the media that the bodies were buried about two meters deep, had their hands tied and showed injuries including dismemberment and decapitation inflicted with a machete.

Preliminary analysis indicated the bodies had been buried for around two days. Their identities have not been confirmed.

Police said the mine had no operating permits. Officers reached the remote area after receiving reports of gunfire, and several residents reported that relatives were missing.

Illegal gold and copper mining operations have expanded in Pucara in recent years as the Los Lobos gang exerted control. Azuay is one of 10 provinces under a state of emergency since June because of rising armed violence.

Ecuador has been struggling with gang violence linked to international cocaine trafficking routes and mining deposits. The country reported nearly 51 homicides per 100,000 people last year. President Daniel Noboa has frequently declared states of emergency since taking office in 2023 to combat gangs, while human rights groups have complained about abuses by security forces.