Gangs In Ecuador Are Allegedly Performing Human Sacrifices To 'Saint Death' As They Look For Protection

Ecuadorian police have increasingly encountered shrines dedicated to "Santa Muerte," or Saint Death, a folk saint associated with death worshipped by some across Latin America, including criminal groups in the region which have adopted the figure as a source of spiritual protection. Some are even allegedly performing human sacrifices, believing it will increase their fortunes.

Local officers discovered in a recent raid an altar featuring a skeletal statue draped in a cape, holding a scythe in one hand and a globe in the other. Offerings of money, tobacco, alcohol, and religious items were placed at its feet. Authorities told AFP gang members turn to Santa Muerte to shield them from law enforcement and ensure the success of their operations.

Police colonel Roberto Santamaria stated that approximately 60% of drug-related raids in the city of Duran uncovered similar altars over the past year. The rise in Santa Muerte worship among Ecuadorian gangs is believed to have originated around six years ago, when members of the local criminal organization Los Choneros received training from Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. The exchange seems to have also included the adoption of spiritual beliefs.

A former gang member claimed that some adherents went beyond ritual offerings, alleging that certain groups engaged in human sacrifices, including the abduction and killing of children. However, the claims remain unverified by authorities.

Santa Muerte has roots in 18th-century Mexican traditions. While many worshipers seek her protection and healing, her association with organized crime has grown.

Ecuador has seen a surge in drug-related violence over the past years, particularly in Duran and nearby Guayaquil, key hubs in the cocaine trade to the U.S. and Europe. President Daniel Noboa has declared 20 gangs terrorist organizations as his administration has made of fighting them a priority. Noboa has deployed military forces in cities and prisons, leading to a slight decline in homicides in 2024.

However, figures are much higher than five years ago. According to a report by The Economist, Ecuador had a homicide rate of 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019, a similar rate to the U.S. (5 per 100,000) but by 2023 that number skyrocketed to 45 per 100,000, making Ecuador the deadliest country in the Americas' mainland, only surpassed by Jamaica (49 per 100,000).

Despite its association with crime, Santa Muerte devotion has extended beyond gang circles. Statues and amulets are sold openly in markets and online. Researcher Cristina Burneo told the outlet that possession of Santa Muerte items could become another factor in the profiling of marginalized communities.

While some police officers report feeling unwell after encountering Santa Muerte altars, authorities refrain from destroying the shrines unless they contain contraband. Santamaria emphasized that Ecuadorian law guarantees freedom of worship, and simply owning a Santa Muerte statue is not a crime.