Ecuador has been shaken by a tragic case involving the disappearance and deaths of four children, leading to the detention of 16 air force members accused of involvement. The charred remains of the children, aged 11 to 15, were found weeks after they were reportedly forced into a military patrol car. The case has sparked national outrage and protests, tarnishing the image of the armed forces amidst an ongoing crackdown on violent criminal groups under President Daniel Noboa.
The children—Saúl Arboleda, Steven Medina, and brothers Josué and Ismael Arroyo—were last seen on December 8 in Guayas province after playing soccer. Video evidence released by Ecuador’s National Assembly showed the children being coerced into a military vehicle. The defense ministry initially claimed the children had been detained on suspicion of robbery but were released shortly after. However, prosecutors stated there was no evidence to support the robbery allegations.
Forensic tests confirmed last week that charred remains found near the area where the children disappeared belonged to them. This grim revelation came just hours after a judge in Guayaquil ordered the detention of the 16 air force members believed to be connected to the case.
National heartbreak and outrage
The discovery of the children’s remains has left Ecuadorians devastated, with citizens from various provinces gathering in front of the Attorney General’s office to demand justice and accountability. Protesters held photos of the children and banners with slogans like, “They took them alive, we want them alive!” and “Do not be indifferent, they take children in front of people!”
Marcela Aguiñaga, the prefect of Guayas, expressed her sorrow and anger on social media, writing, “It is unacceptable that the lives of our children end in this way. Let fear not silence us, and let solidarity become the voice that demands justice so that something like this never happens again.”
Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Álvarez echoed the sentiment, saying, “Nothing will calm the pain of the parents, just as nothing will erase the mark of murderers from all those involved, directly or indirectly. This country has hit rock bottom. Everything hurts.”
The case has resonated across the country, with the National Assembly and the Quito Mayor’s Office declaring three days of mourning to honor the victims.
Calls for justice
During a hearing on Tuesday, the Prosecutor’s Office presented testimonies and video evidence implicating the detained air force members in the crime. Outside the courtroom, relatives and supporters of the victims demanded transparency and accountability, emphasizing the need for justice in a case that has horrified the nation.
President Daniel Noboa, already under pressure to address Ecuador’s growing insecurity, has vowed there will be no impunity. Last week, he urged law enforcement to fully cooperate with the Attorney General’s Office in the investigation. Both the defense ministry and the armed forces have pledged to collaborate “without reservations or conditions” to uncover the truth.
The defense ministry had initially claimed the children were involved in criminal activity—a narrative prosecutors have rejected. The lack of evidence supporting these claims has only fueled public anger, with many questioning whether the military’s actions were an abuse of power.
A nation grappling with violence
Ecuador has been plagued by escalating violence linked to drug cartels and criminal gangs. President Noboa’s administration has prioritized a tough-on-crime approach, relying heavily on the military to enforce security measures. However, this case has cast a shadow over those efforts and raised concerns about systemic issues within the armed forces.
The deaths of the children have become a symbol of the challenges Ecuador faces as it battles corruption, impunity, and the pervasive influence of organized crime. For many, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform and accountability in the country’s institutions.
As the investigation unfolds, families, activists, and citizens across Ecuador are united in their demand for justice. The harrowing loss of Saúl, Steven, Josué, and Ismael has left an indelible mark on the nation, serving as a painful reminder of the human cost of systemic failure and unchecked power.