CBS/AFP
Ecuador’s president declared a war on drug gangs, and the tragic discovery of the bodies of four missing boys near a military base has shaken the nation. Genetic tests confirmed that the charred bodies found near the Ecuadorian military base belong to the four boys who went missing three weeks ago. The boys, Saul Arboleda, Steven Medina, and brothers Josue and Ismael Arroyo, were playing soccer in Guayaquil when they vanished.
Soldiers’ Involvement and Public Outrage
An unverified video released by Ecuador’s Congress showed soldiers mistreating one of the minors, raising concerns about military involvement in the disappearance. Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo claimed that the soldiers, responding to a robbery, detained and released the children on the same night, blaming gangs for their disappearance. This incident sparked widespread indignation in Ecuador, where violence has become distressingly common.
Family’s Anguish and Officials’ Response
The father of one of the boys recounted a heartbreaking phone call in which his son described being chased, captured, and beaten by soldiers. The family received messages indicating two possible locations where the boys might be, one near the military base in Taura. On December 24, authorities discovered four charred bodies near the base, prompting DNA tests that confirmed the bodies were those of the missing adolescents.
Legal Action and Calls for Justice
Following the discovery, authorities raided the Taura base and detained 16 soldiers suspected of involvement. The soldiers, now in custody and under investigation, face up to 26 years in prison if convicted of the forced disappearance of the boys. The government expressed deep regret over the tragedy and vowed to seek the truth with transparency, as protesters demanded justice outside the court.
The case has highlighted the ongoing struggle against crime in Ecuador, with President Daniel Noboa declaring an “internal armed conflict” in response to escalating violence last January. As the nation grapples with this heartbreaking loss, the search for justice and accountability continues.
