MEXICO CITY — In a sign of the spreading violence in Mexico, 11 decapitated bodies were found late Thursday near Merida on the Yucatan peninsula, officials said.
The bodies bore signs of torture, and some were unclothed. Officials said a 12th decapitated body was found later about 120 miles south of Merida, a city often used by tourists on their way to the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza.
Warring drug gangs have routinely decapitated rivals during the past two years as they battle for coveted routes for smuggling drugs into the United States.
Four decapitated bodies were found in Tijuana earlier this week in killings that appeared tied to fighting among traffickers over control of the corridor into San Diego.
But headless bodies have also turned up in other corners of Mexico as violence has spread beyond traditional battlegrounds along the U.S. border.
The El Universal newspaper said the bodies found in Yucatan were handcuffed and showed signs that they were beaten. The Reuters news service said the bodies had tattoos of star signs and the letter “Z.”
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