A judge in Ecuador has ordered the detention of 16 air force members accused of involvement in the tragic disappearance and deaths of four children. The children, Saúl Arboleda, Steven Medina, and brothers Josué and Ismael Arroyo, were reported missing on December 8 after soldiers detained them while they were playing soccer in Guayas province. The case has sent shockwaves through the nation, igniting protests against the military forces.
The National Assembly released a video showing that the children were coerced into a patrol car against their will. This disturbing footage, coupled with forensic confirmation that four charred bodies discovered last week belonged to the missing children, has intensified public outrage. The defense ministry admitted that the children had been detained but claimed they were subsequently released. However, the ministry's assertion that the children were involved in a robbery lacks supporting evidence, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
President Daniel Noboa has pledged that there will be no impunity in this case. He urged law enforcement agencies to cooperate fully with the Attorney General’s Office during the ongoing investigations. Demonstrating solidarity with the bereaved families, the National Assembly and the Mayor's Office of Quito declared three days of mourning.
“Nothing will calm the pain of the parents, just as nothing will erase the mark of murderers from all those involved, directly or indirectly.” – Aquiles Álvarez
Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Álvarez expressed his condolences and emphasized that those responsible will face justice. Meanwhile, the defense ministry and armed forces have committed to collaborating "without reservations or conditions" in the investigative process. The Prosecutor’s Office bolstered its case with testimonies and video evidence indicating "the alleged participation of the defendants in the crime investigated."
The incident has sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as “They took them alive, we want them alive!” and “Sir, madam, do not be indifferent, they take children in front of people!” These protests reflect deep-seated concerns about military practices, particularly as the military leads President Noboa’s campaign against violent criminal groups.
“Let fear not silence us, and let solidarity become the voice that demands justice so that something like this never happens again.” – Marcela Aguiñaga
Marcela Aguiñaga, prefect of Guayas, voiced her support for justice on social media, urging citizens not to be silenced by fear. The call for justice resonates across Ecuador as the nation grapples with this profound tragedy.
